Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Climber |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Peru, Ecuador |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Highland / Montane |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Perennial herb with a sprawling or climbing growth habit. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Thick, fleshy, smooth leaves are elliptic to broadly ovate with a short petiole. |
| Stems | The fleshy stems die back annually, but grow back from the tuber. They are round, smooth and pinkish red. |
| Flowers | Spike-like inflorescence (technically known as a raceme) is composed of small, white, star-shaped flowers. Each flower is supported by 2 leaf-like bracteoles below. |
| Habitat | In Ecuador, it naturally occurs at 1,500-3,000 m above sea level. In the Dominican Republic, it is considered an invasive weed which smothers native vegetation. In Sri Lanka, it is classified as a troublesome agricultural weed of tea plantations. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Edible Plant Parts : Edible Leaves, Edible Storage Organs Food (Fruit or Vegetable): The leaves and tubers are harvested from the wild or cultivated for consumption as a vegetable. The leaves are treated like spinach. |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Propagation Method | Seed, Storage Organ |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth, Thick |
| Prominent Young Flush Colour(s) | Green |
| Young Flush Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Alternate |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acute |
| Foliar Base | Rounded / Obtuse, Truncate / Square |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | White |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Terminal |
| Flower Symmetry | Radial |
| Individual Flower Shape | Stellate / Star-shaped |
| Inflorescence Type | Raceme |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 33661 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 8075 |
| 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. |
