Country of Origin: S. Tanzania to Mozambique and W. Pacific
Habitat: notophyll rainforest, along scrubby watercourses & littoral rainforest
Description: Simple linear light green leaves have a base that encloses the stem and drawn out leaf tips that form narrow coiled tendrils. Has formless extrafloral nectaries that secrete nectar, mainly through stomata, in the leaf sheaths that are tightly pressed against the stem.
Plants perennial. Leaf sheath 2-7 cm; pseudopetiole 3-8 mm, abaxially flattened; leaf blade lanceolate to linear, 7-25 × 0.5-2 cm, base abruptly contracted, rounded, or slightly cordate. Panicles erect, irregularly branched, dense; bracts short, broad. Flowers small; tepals white, ovate to broadly so, 2--3 mm, thinly membranous. Stamens exserted. Ovary narrow. Drupes reddish when mature, globose, 4-6 mm in diam., smooth. Seeds 1(or 2). Fl. Apr-Jul, fr. Sep-Nov.4
Uses: Aborigines had many uses for this vine, including using the astringent leaves to heal wounds. Tips (sap) applied to sore eyes and also used as contraceptive. Used as rope for tree climbing. Woven into fish traps and nets.
IMPORTANT NOTE:Plant Uses are for informational purposes only. EEB Greenhouses assume no responsibility for adverse effects from the use of any plants referred to on this site. Always seek advice from a professional before using any plant medicinally.
Culture: Difficult to propagate from cuttings, resents root disturbance and hard pruning.
W/C = Wild Collected = indicates flowering in past 14 days
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