India Rubber Vine
Cryptostegia grandiflora
Family: Apocynaceae
What it is like
Cryptostegia grandiflora is an evergreen Climber growing to 15 m (49ft) by 0.3 m (1ft in) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.
Height (m): 15
Where it is found
Rubber vine is a many stemmed shrub which can climb 30 m into tree canopies, or grow 1?3 m high when unsupported in open areas. Rubber vine typically invades new areas when seed is blown in or transported down a waterway. Seed germinates readily on riverbanks and other moist areas.
Africa - Madagascar. Australia
Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 0
Medicine
Rating: 0
Other
Rating: 3
Agroforestry Uses: The plant can be pruned and grown as a hedge. Other Uses: A latex obtained from the stems can be used to make rubber. It is equal in quality to the latex obtained from the rubber tree, Hevea sp.. Very difficult to obtain by tapping. A reasonably high-quality rubber is obtained from the latex. A fibre is obtained from the stems.
Industrial Crop: Fiber: Clothing, rugs, sheets, blankets etc. Currently, almost none of our fiber are produced from perennial crops but could be!
Industrial Crop: Hydrocarbon: Materials, chemicals and energy include bioplastics, rubber, biomass products gasoline, jet fuel, diesel, butane, propane, biogas. Plants are usually resprouting plants and saps.
Management: Coppice: Cut to the ground repeatedly - resprouting vigorously. Non-destructive management systems maintaining the soil organic carbon.
Minor Global Crop: These crops are already grown or traded around the world, but on a smaller scale than the global perennial staple and industrial crops, The annual value of a minor global crop is under $1 billion US. Examples include shea, carob, Brazil nuts and fibers such as ramie and sisal.
Industrial Crop: Fiber: Clothing, rugs, sheets, blankets etc. Currently, almost none of our fiber are produced from perennial crops but could be!
Industrial Crop: Hydrocarbon: Materials, chemicals and energy include bioplastics, rubber, biomass products gasoline, jet fuel, diesel, butane, propane, biogas. Plants are usually resprouting plants and saps.
Management: Coppice: Cut to the ground repeatedly - resprouting vigorously. Non-destructive management systems maintaining the soil organic carbon.
Minor Global Crop: These crops are already grown or traded around the world, but on a smaller scale than the global perennial staple and industrial crops, The annual value of a minor global crop is under $1 billion US. Examples include shea, carob, Brazil nuts and fibers such as ramie and sisal.
Carbon Farming: Plants that can be a critical part of the solution to climate problems. The Carbon Farming Solution - Eric Toensmeier.
How it is grown
Succeeds in a sunny position in a moist but well drained soil.
Propagating it: Seed - Cuttings Air layering.
Best place to grow:
Habit: Climber
Hardiness: 10-12
Growth: Fast
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: No shade
Moisture: Moist
Things to keep in mind
Regarded as one of the worst weeds in Australia because of its invasiveness, potential for spread, and economic and environmental impacts.
Its other names
Local names
Rubber vine
Synonyms
Cryptostegia grandiflora var. tulearensis Costantin & Gallaud.