Common Name:

General Information

Tinospora fragosa is a fast-growing, semi-succulent, climbing shrub producing stems up to 10 metres long from a tuberous rootstock. The stems are around 15cm in diameter and support themselves by twining around other plants[, ]. These stems have a tendency to produce weak and thinner parts which are relatively easy to break - each part that breaks off can re-root and form new plants[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local medicinal use. An attractive, ornamental plant, it has bright orange-red fruits that ripen when the bright green leaves appear[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Southern Africa - north west South Africa, northern Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana.

Habitat

Not known

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Climber
Height	10.00 m
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of drier regions in the tropics and subtropics. It can tolerate occasional light frosts[].
Succeeds in full sun or partial shade[]. Succeeds in a range of soils so long as they are well-drained[, ].
If the plant stem is broken due to animal disturbances or other cause, then the top section can produce an aerial stem that can grow down ten metres or more to reach the soil[, ].
A long-lived plant[].
A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if seed is required.

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

An infusion of the leaves and twigs is taken against anthrax, whereas the whole plant is fed to cattle for this purpose[].
The twigs are chewed against cough and sore throat[].
The stems and leaves are used in a bath against rheumatism and body pain[].

Agroforestry Uses:

Some species in this genus are the larval hosts of fruit-piercing noctuid moths that cause significant damage to crops
of Citrus (particularly Mandarins) and Dimocarpus longan (Longan) in Thailand[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - sow in shallow trays and cover lightly with a layer of sand 1 - 2mm thick. Germination is within 4 weeks and the young plants can be planted out as soon as they are big enough to handle[].
Stem cuttings. Very easy - the stems have a natural tendency to break and form new plants in the wild[].

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