Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Climber |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Southern China, Northern Thailand |
|---|---|
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Herbaceous vine. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Leaves are egg- to heart-shaped (12-23 cm long, 5-17 cm wide) and covered in yellow-brown hairs. The petiole or leaf stalk is 3-10 cm long. |
| Flowers | This species produces separate male and female flowers. Female flowers are solitary or occur in clusters of 2-5. About 6-19 male flowers occur on a spike-like inflorescence known as a raceme. |
| Fruit | Fruits are round to oblong (6-11 cm long, 4-8 cm wide). Immature fruits are yellow-brown with a velvety texture, eventually becoming smooth and hairless. They contain numerous egg-shaped, flattened seeds which are tightly packed together. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Edible Plant Parts : Edible Fruits Food (Herb or Spice): The fruit extract is used as a natural sweetener which is 300 times sweeter than sugar, but contains fewer calories. An herbal tea can be prepared by breaking the fruit into pieces and steeping them in hot water. Medicinal: In Chinese medicine, the fruit is used to treat diabetes and obesity. Fruit extract was shown to have an anti-fatigue effect in mice (Liu et al. 2013). |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Fast |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 32615 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 7027 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |