Dioscorea batatas I believe. Smilax has alternate leaf arrangement. Dioscorea batatas opposite to occasionally whorled. HTH Chris Here is a link that might be useful: Cinnamon Vine

Here is another picture of same vine: http://www.hcnews.com/donnell/vine1.png i am not very savvy at gardenweb.... maybe there is a way to upload two pictures but I did not see a way to do that... Here is a link that might be useful:

The extension does metal planters in Tucson with no problems, but they are much bigger (think livestock watering troughs.. because that's what they are). My own garden is metal (40x40" containers). No issues. We use ollas to irrigate. But back to the main question: star jasmine is also messy. I had a massive one. And holly cow do they smell good, if you can keep them alive, but they drop a lot of leaves per year. I can't think of a vine I'd be willing to grow so close to my pool. Have you considered a long planter of fence post cacti (or similar) instead? (ETA: They might not be so plump looking on a southern wall, but I have successfully grown them in shade before.)

When you say it must be self supporting do you mean self clinging like ivy? If so that reduces your choices. Or are you prepared to provide a few wires or hooks? This rose is Goldfinch. It had one loop of wire to start it off. There is also a Clematis montana on the other side which has a couple of wires across the roof. It flowers earlier, along with the apple blossom. I don’t know whether these choices would work in S California. This one is Solanum ‘Glasnevin’. Not over a roof but it would work there. Again just a couple of wires needed.