Common Name:

General Information

Epipremnum pinnatum is a climbing plant, sometimes epiphytic. A vigorous plant, capable of producing stems 30 - 50 metres long, it can grow high into the canopy of trees with a stem 2 - 4cm in diameter that can attach itself by means of aerial roots[, ].
The plant is often harvested from the wild for local medicinal use and is also sometimes cultivated for this purpose. The leaves are regularly sold in local markets, especially in Singapore, for medicinal use. The plant is often grown as an ornamental, valued especially for its attractive pinnatifid adult leaves[, , ].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - China, Assam, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Phillipines to New Guinea, Australia, W. Pacific.

Habitat

A hemiepiphytic vine, climbing on the trunks of trees and into the forest canopy, primarily in disturbed areas and along roadsides; at elevations up to 350 metres[, ].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Evergreen Climber
Height	15.00 m
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Often grown as an ornamental, the plant has escaped from cultivation and has invaded native habitats in many areas[].
In Singapore this species is referred to by the Chinese inhabitants as Long Wei Cao, literally Dragon Tail Plant[].
The lower flowers in the spadix are female, the rest are bisexual[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The leaves are antirheumatic, tonic. They have a high reputation in Chinese communities in the treatment of rheumatism and fractures and dysentery[].. An infusion of the leaves is taken as an effective treatment of rheumatism, as a general tonic and anticancer agent[]. A decoction of the leaves is taken as a treatment for malaria, chest pain and diabetes, and to alleviate toothache[]. Four cups of a tea made from the leaves combined with Premna taitensis is said to have brought about a permanent cure of a migraine[]. The young leaves, combined with those of Imperata cylindrica, are crushed, mixed with water or coconut juice, and drunk as a treatment for gonorrhoea[].
A decoction of the leaves is used as gargle and mouth wash to treat gum inflammations and tooth abscesses[].

The sap is used in the treatment of snake bites[].

A juice obtained from the crushed inner part of the stem is mixed with water and drunk as a treatment for joint problems, dislocation and broken bones[].

The spadix of plant is used as emmenagogue[].

A recent study has revealed that extracts from the leaves exhibit cytotoxicity toward cancer cells in vitro, and the hot-water-soluble fraction of the extract produces immuno-stimulation in laboratory animals[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed -
Cuttings
Air layering

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