Gynura aurantiaca

(Blume) DC.

Purple Passion Vine, Purple velvet plant, Royal velvet plant, Velvet plant

Asteraceae Edible: Leaves 517 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Gynura aurantiaca, called purple passion or velvet plant, is a species of flowering plant in the daisy family Asteraceae. It is native to Southeast Asia but grown in many other places as a house plant. In warm regions, it is frequently grown outdoors on patios and in gardens rather than inside buildings, and hence it has escaped into the wild in Africa, Australia, South America, Mesoamerica, Florida, and a few other places.

Description

A trailing soft wooded herb. It is evergreen. It grows 2-2.4 m high and spreads 1.2 m wide. The leaves are spear shaped and scalloped along the edge. They are 20 cm long. There are purple bristles on them. The flowers are small and orange. They are 25 mm wide. They are in clusters.

Edible Uses

The tender leaves are used as food, particularly in soups.

Traditional Uses

The tender leaves are used as food. They are used in soups.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Distribution

A tropical plant. It grows in mixed forests and can be in sun or part shade. It can be near swamps and along streams. In Argentina it grows between 300-2,400 m above sea level. It suits hardiness zones 10-12.

Where It Grows

Argentina, Asia, Australia, China, Indonesia*, Malaysia, Pacific, Philippines, SE Asia, Slovenia, South America,

Cultivation

Plants can be grown by cuttings.

Notes

There are about 40 Gynura species. They are mostly in the tropics. It is a cultivated plant.

Synonyms

Gynura sarmentosa

Also Known As

Grmičasta ginura, Perdu beludru ungu, Umyung

References (9)

Bodkin, F., 1991, Encyclopedia Botanica. Cornstalk publishing, p 522
Cundall, P., (ed.), 2004, Gardening Australia: flora: the gardener's bible. ABC Books. p 662
Hedrick, U.P., 1919, (Ed.), Sturtevant's edible plants of the world. p 335
Hibbert, M., 2002, The Aussie Plant Finder 2002, Florilegium. p 117
Hu, Shiu-ying, 2005, Food Plants of China. The Chinese University Press. p 731

Show all 9 references

Martin, F.W. & Ruberte, R.M., 1979, Edible Leaves of the Tropics. Antillian College Press, Mayaguez, Puerto Rico. p 185
Prodr. 6:300. 1838
Sukarya, D. G., (Ed.) 2013, 3,500 Plant Species of the Botanic Gardens of Indonesia. LIPI p 638
Terra, G.J.A., 1973, Tropical Vegetables. Communication 54e Royal Tropical Institute, Amsterdam, p 50