Flagellaria indica

Supplejack, Whip vine, Lawyer vine

Flagellariaceae Edible: Fruit, Shoots, Leaves, Stem 2,215 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Flagellaria indica is a climbing plant found in many of the tropical and subtropical regions of the Old World, in India, Bangladesh, Southeast Asia, Polynesia, and Australia. A strong climber, it grows often up to 15 metres (49 ft) tall, with thick cane-like stems exceeding 15 mm (0.6 in) in diameter. Its leaves, without hairs, are 10 to 40 centimetres (4 to 16 in) long, and 5 to 20 mm (0.2 to 0.8 in) wide, with a coiled apical tendril which forms the holding part of the climbing plant. Fragrant white flowers form in panicles, 10 to 25 centimetres (4 to 10 in) long. The fruit is inedible. The globose drupes are red when mature, 5 millimetres (25⁄128 in) in diameter, usually with only one seed. Because of its wide distribution, many local common names are used, such as whip vine, hell tail, supplejack, false rattan, and bush cane.

Description

An evergreen vine. It grows to 10 m tall. It climbs high into trees by modified tendrils on the tips of leaves. The stem is vigorous and branching. The stems are woody and 1-3 cm thick. The stem is covered with overlapping leaf sheaths. The leaves are narrow and sword shaped. They taper at both ends and the tips curve backwards forming tendrils. Leaves are 8-30 cm long and 0.7-2 cm wide. They are bright green and have parallel veins. They do not have a leaf stalk but clasp the stem. The flowers are very small and occur in sprays at the ends of branches. They are white. The fruit are berries which are small and fleshy and red when ripe. They are 0.3-0.5 cm across. The fruit are edible.

Edible Uses

The young shoots and leaves are eaten after boiling. The ripe red fruit are eaten fresh. The sweet stems are also chewed.

Traditional Uses

The young shoots and leaves are eaten after boiling. The fruit is eaten. The sweet stems are also chewed.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

The plant has a range of medicinal uses.

Distribution

It is a tropical plant. It does best with a well drained soil rich in compost. It needs a protected sunny position. It is damaged by drought and frost. It grows naturally in rainforests and along the edge of streams. It can be along the edges of mangroves. It grows up to 1,600 m above sea level. It suits humid locations. It can grow on sandstone soils. It suits hardiness zones 9-12.

Where It Grows

Africa, Andamans, Asia, Australia, Cambodia, China, East Africa, East Timor, Fiji, FSM, Guam, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Japan, Kosrae, Lord Howe Island, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mariana Islands, Mauritius, Micronesia, Mozambique, Myanmar, New Caledonia, Pacific Islands, Palau, Pan tropical, Papua New Guinea, PNG, Pohnpei, Reunion, Samoa, SE Asia, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Vietnam,

Cultivation

Plants are grown from seed. The seed need to be sown fresh.

Other Uses

The bark and tough stems are used for making mats, baskets, fishtraps, and for constructing huts and roofs. It is considered a good alternative for rattan, all the more so as it will regrow after cutting. The leaves are used for hair washes.

Production

In Australia, flowering occurs periodically mainly December to March.

Notes

There are 4 Flagellaria species. There is only one genus in the Flagellariaceae family. The plant has a range of medicinal uses.

Synonyms

Flagellaria indica var. gracilicaulis F. M. BaileyFlagellaria indica var. minor Hook.f.

Also Known As

Ban-chanda, Bejuco halum-tano, Bomugra, Dule, False rattan, Hisa-biko, Kokrok, Myauk-kyien, Owar, Panambuvalli, Poyinadiputatige, Rotan dini, Rotan mambang, Rotan-rotanan, Rotan tikus, Vahipiki, Viko, Wai ling, Wai yep chak, Wai-ling, Wala, Wowo

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