Geitonoplesium cymosum
(R. Br.) A.Cunn. ex Hook.
Scrambling lily, Climbing lily, Shepherd's joy
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Summary
Source: WikipediaAn evergreen climbing perennial reaching 4 m (13 ft 1 in) with hermaphroditic flowers pollinated by insects. Adapts to sandy, loamy, or clay soils across a range of pH levels from mildly acidic to basic. Prefers moist soil in semi-shade or full sun. Frost tender, hardy to UK zone 9.
Description
An evergreen climbing plant. It grows to 1-8 m high. It keeps growing from year to year. The stem is smooth and wiry and has many branches. Many branches can often be leafless. The leaves are oval or long shaped with fine veins. They are 5-8 cm long by 1-2 cm wide and have short leaf stalks. The flowers are star-like and creamy white, green or purplish. They have 3 petal-like sepals and 3 petals. These flowers occur in heads which hang over and are at the ends of branches. The heads are 10 cm long. The flowers have a sweet smell. The fruit are bluish-black round berries. They are 0.8 cm across.
Edible Uses
Young shoots are eaten cooked and make a fine substitute for asparagus.
Traditional Uses
The very young shoots can be cooked and eaten.
This uses section is brief — help expand it
Medicinal Uses
None known.
Distribution
A tropical plant. It does best in medium to heavy soils. It needs a protected shaded position. It is damaged by drought but can tolerate frost. It grows in moist forest.
Where It Grows
Australia, Britain, Europe, Fiji, Indonesia, New Caledonia, Norfolk Island, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, PNG, Philippines, SE Asia, Solomon Islands,
Cultivation
Plants can be grown from seed or cuttings. Seeds are slow to germinate. They can take 12 months to grow. Seed treatment is helpful. Plants can be grown by division of the fleshy root system.
Propagation
Sow seed in spring in a greenhouse. Germination is sporadic and some seed can take more than 12 months. Pot up plants when large enough to handle and grow on in the greenhouse for at least their first two winters. If planting outdoors, plant out in early summer and provide some winter protection for the first year or two. Division is also an option.
Other Uses
The stems are used as rough ropes.
Notes
There is only one Geitonoplesium species. The vine is used for tying construction timber in housing. It is to be included in the Hemerocallidaceae and Luzuriagaceae and Philesaceae.
Synonyms
References (33)
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Show all 33 references Hide references
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