Anredera vesicaria
(Lam.) C.F.Gaertn.
Basellaceae
Anredera cumingii Hassk.
Anredera leptostachys (Moq.) Steenis
Anredera scandens Sm.
Anredera spicata J.F.Gmel.
Anredera vesiculosa Poir.
Basella vesicaria Lam.
Boussingaultia leptostachya Moq.
Clarisia volubilis Abat
Common Name:
General Information
Anredera vesicaria is a small to large, herbaceous perennial, much-branched twining vine with a tuberous rootstock, producing annual stems that sprawl on the ground or twine around other plants for support[
331- Title
- Flora of Guatemala
- Publication
-
- Author
- Standley P.C. & J. A. Steyermark
- Website
- http://www.archive.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 1946 - 1976
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A superb reference, though somewhat dated. Gives lots of plant uses as well as information on plant habit and habitat. The entire flora (13 volumes) can now be downloaded from http://www.archive.org/
].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and medicine.
Known Hazards
None known
Botanical References
331- Title
- Flora of Guatemala
- Publication
-
- Author
- Standley P.C. & J. A. Steyermark
- Website
- http://www.archive.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 1946 - 1976
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A superb reference, though somewhat dated. Gives lots of plant uses as well as information on plant habit and habitat. The entire flora (13 volumes) can now be downloaded from http://www.archive.org/
,
2103- Title
- A Synopsis of Basellaceae
- Publication
- Kew Bulletin, Vol. 62, No. 2 (2007), pp. 297-320
- Author
- Eriksson E.
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 2007
- ISBN
-
- Description
-
Range
S. America - Colombia, Venezuela, north through central America and the Caribbean to Texas and Florida
Habitat
Moist thickets or hedges; at elevations from 400 - 1,300 metres[
331- Title
- Flora of Guatemala
- Publication
-
- Author
- Standley P.C. & J. A. Steyermark
- Website
- http://www.archive.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 1946 - 1976
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A superb reference, though somewhat dated. Gives lots of plant uses as well as information on plant habit and habitat. The entire flora (13 volumes) can now be downloaded from http://www.archive.org/
].
Properties
| Weed Potential | Yes |
| Edibility Rating |  |
| Medicinal Rating |  |
| Other Uses Rating |  |
| Habit | Perennial Climber |
| Height | 0.00 m |
| Cultivation Status | Ornamental, Wild |
Cultivation Details
The plant is grown as an ornamental and has sometimes escaped from cultivation and become established outside its native range[
2103- Title
- A Synopsis of Basellaceae
- Publication
- Kew Bulletin, Vol. 62, No. 2 (2007), pp. 297-320
- Author
- Eriksson E.
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 2007
- ISBN
-
- Description
-
].
The flowers are functionallv unisexual (unlike most species in this family, the plants are dioecious)[
2103- Title
- A Synopsis of Basellaceae
- Publication
- Kew Bulletin, Vol. 62, No. 2 (2007), pp. 297-320
- Author
- Eriksson E.
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 2007
- ISBN
-
- Description
-
].
The plant produces both aerial and subterranean tubers[
2103- Title
- A Synopsis of Basellaceae
- Publication
- Kew Bulletin, Vol. 62, No. 2 (2007), pp. 297-320
- Author
- Eriksson E.
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 2007
- ISBN
-
- Description
-
]. This species seems to reproduce well by means of its vegetative tubers, which explains why only staminate individuals have been found in some areas[
2103- Title
- A Synopsis of Basellaceae
- Publication
- Kew Bulletin, Vol. 62, No. 2 (2007), pp. 297-320
- Author
- Eriksson E.
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 2007
- ISBN
-
- Description
-
].
Edible Uses
The mucilaginous starchy tubers eaten[
2097- Title
- Duke’s handbook of medicinal plants of Latin America
- Publication
-
- Author
- Duke J.A.
- Publisher
- Taylor & Francis Group, LLC; Florida
- Year
- 2009
- ISBN
- 978-1-4200-4316-7
- Description
-
].
Leaves - cooked and eaten as a potherb[
2097- Title
- Duke’s handbook of medicinal plants of Latin America
- Publication
-
- Author
- Duke J.A.
- Publisher
- Taylor & Francis Group, LLC; Florida
- Year
- 2009
- ISBN
- 978-1-4200-4316-7
- Description
-
].
Medicinal
The plant, part not specified, is analgesic, antiiflammatory, CNS depressant, hypoglycaemic and vulnerary[
2097- Title
- Duke’s handbook of medicinal plants of Latin America
- Publication
-
- Author
- Duke J.A.
- Publisher
- Taylor & Francis Group, LLC; Florida
- Year
- 2009
- ISBN
- 978-1-4200-4316-7
- Description
-
]. It is used in the treatment of a range of conditions, including asthma, bleeding, bronchosis, callus, cardiopathy, corns, diabetes, fractures, hyperglycemia, inflammation, myalgia, pain, palpitations, pulmonosis, rheumatism, sprains, toothache and wounds[
2097- Title
- Duke’s handbook of medicinal plants of Latin America
- Publication
-
- Author
- Duke J.A.
- Publisher
- Taylor & Francis Group, LLC; Florida
- Year
- 2009
- ISBN
- 978-1-4200-4316-7
- Description
-
].
The crushed tubers are used externally to treat conditions such as wounds, inflammations, muscular pains, rheumatism, fractures, sprains, calluses and corns[
2097- Title
- Duke’s handbook of medicinal plants of Latin America
- Publication
-
- Author
- Duke J.A.
- Publisher
- Taylor & Francis Group, LLC; Florida
- Year
- 2009
- ISBN
- 978-1-4200-4316-7
- Description
-
].
The leaf is eaten for the viscous substance it contains, which refreshes and remedies inflammations of the intestines[
348- Title
- Medicinal Plants of the Guianas
- Publication
-
- Author
- DeFilipps, R. A.; Maina, S. L.; & Crepin, J.
- Website
- http://botany.si.edu/bdg/medicinal/index.html
- Publisher
- Smithsonian Museum
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A down-loadable PDF document of a book in pre-publication awaiting illustration. An excellent, if rather terse, guide to the traditional medicinal uses of the plants of the region
].. The fresh leaf juice is used to ease toothache[
2097- Title
- Duke’s handbook of medicinal plants of Latin America
- Publication
-
- Author
- Duke J.A.
- Publisher
- Taylor & Francis Group, LLC; Florida
- Year
- 2009
- ISBN
- 978-1-4200-4316-7
- Description
-
].
A decoction of the leaves is used to make a relaxing soothing bath[
2097- Title
- Duke’s handbook of medicinal plants of Latin America
- Publication
-
- Author
- Duke J.A.
- Publisher
- Taylor & Francis Group, LLC; Florida
- Year
- 2009
- ISBN
- 978-1-4200-4316-7
- Description
-
].
An aqueous extract of the plant has been shown to be strongly hypoglycemic[
2097- Title
- Duke’s handbook of medicinal plants of Latin America
- Publication
-
- Author
- Duke J.A.
- Publisher
- Taylor & Francis Group, LLC; Florida
- Year
- 2009
- ISBN
- 978-1-4200-4316-7
- Description
-
].
Other Uses
A liquid made from the ground leaves contains a viscous substance and is used as an external wash to make the skin and hair supple[
348- Title
- Medicinal Plants of the Guianas
- Publication
-
- Author
- DeFilipps, R. A.; Maina, S. L.; & Crepin, J.
- Website
- http://botany.si.edu/bdg/medicinal/index.html
- Publisher
- Smithsonian Museum
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A down-loadable PDF document of a book in pre-publication awaiting illustration. An excellent, if rather terse, guide to the traditional medicinal uses of the plants of the region
],
Propagation
Seed -
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Useful Tropical Plants Database 2014 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
