Common Name:

General Information

Culcasia scandens is a climbing plant that can be epiphytic, producing slender, wiry stems up to 5 metres long that attach themselves to tree trunks by means of clasping roots[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and source of coumarin.
This species is widespread with a large size population, though it is potentially threatened by water pollution. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2011)[].

Known Hazards

The sap is irritant on the skin, and is used as a fish-poison[].

Botanical References

,

Range

West tropical Africa - Senegal to Central African Republic, south to Angola and DR Congo.

Habitat

Wet river banks[]. Fringing forest and savannah[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Perennial Climber
Height	4.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Not known

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The leaves are sometimes used in the treatment of stomach-aches[]. Women in Gabon eat the leaves during pregnancy, cooked with groundnuts or with odika chocolate (the kernel butter of Irvingia gabonensis); they also drink the water in which the leaves have been steeped for several days[]. A tisane is held in Congo to be anti-abortive and antiemetic[].
The pulped leaves are used in topical applications as a remedy for headaches, intercostal pain, etc. A dressing of the fresh leaves is put over ulcers[]. The leaves are made into a douche for treating blennorrhoea. A decoction is used to bathe rachitic children; sap from the leaves is instilled into the ears as a remedy for ear-inflammation and deafness[].

The ashes of the burnt plant are used to soothe headache[].

An unnamed alkaloid has been detected in the leaf and stem of Nigerian material[].

Other Uses

The plant has a scent of coumarin. The leaves and roots are worn around the neck and ears, and sometimes they are powdered and put on the head[]. Distillation has given good returns of coumarin[].

The seeds and roots are dried and powdered and mixed with maize seed at the time of sowing. The crop is said to be much increased[]. This is quite probably due to the plants insecticidal and repellent properties, ensuring that the seed is not eaten, but is allowed to grow[].

Propagation

Seed -

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