Longevity Spinach, Sambung Nyawa
Gynura procumbens

Family: Compositae

What it is like

Gynura procumbens is an evergreen Perennial Climber growing to 2 m (6ft) by 0.3 m (1ft in) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. The flowers are pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 2

Where it is found

Forest margins and thickets in Africa . By streams in forests, sandy slopes, climbing on shrubs or trees, at elevations around two hundred metres in China .

E. Asia - southern China, India, Thailand, Laos, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines New Guinea. West Africa - Liberia to Nigeria (prob introduced).

Conservation Status: Not Listed.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia (native), Australia, Cambodia, China, Indochina, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, SE Asia, Sierra Leone, Thailand, Vietnam, West Africa.

How it is used

Food

Rating: 4

Edible Uses Leaves - cooked . The leaves are green and fleshy and said to taste like green beans. Young leaves and shoots are eaten fresh in salads or added to rice or noodle dishes. Cook like spinach, sauté in butter or oil and a little garlic or add to soups or stews. They are used as a vegetable or as a flavouring for food .

Condiment: the various plants that are used as flavourings, either as herbs, spices or condiments.

Medicine

Rating: 3

The plant is febrifuge . It is used in the treatment of fevers, kidney troubles and dysentery . The semi-succulent leaves are applied externally to relieve rheumatic pains and general body pains . As a folk medicine in Singapore, the leaves are used to lower blood pressure and reduce blood sugar levels.

Antidiarrhoeal: Provides symptomatic relief for diarrhoea. Also see Astringent.

Antirheumatic: Treats rheumatism.

Dysentery: Used in treating dysentery - an infection of the intestines that causes diarrhoea containing blood or mucus.

Febrifuge: Reduces fevers.

Hypoglycaemic: Reduces the levels of sugar in the blood.

Hypotensive: Reduces blood pressure, it is used in the treatment of high blood pressure

Kidney: Used in the treatment of kidney diseases

Other

Rating: 2

Agroforestry Uses: The plant is grown in the rice area of Mindanao in the Philippine Islands as a 'remedy for rice aphids', but the manner of its action is not clear . Other Uses: A useful forage plant for poultry. Pots; Suitable in 3 gallons (12L) or larger.

Food Forest: Plants for Edible Forest Gardens and Food Forests.

How it is grown

Gynura procumbens is a small tropical perennial herb or climber grown indoors in colder climates. It is a close relative of Okinawa Spinach (Gynura crepioides). They are growing to 1 - 3 m in height with a scandent (climbing) growth habit. The specific epithet procumbens means lying flat on the ground or creeping forwards, in reference to the growth habit. The branches are trimmed to make a bushy plant or staked. Position: Sun / part shade. Soil preference: Well-drained. Soil pH Preferences:

Propagating it: Seed. Longevity spinach is very easy to grow and propagate from cuttings.

Best place to grow:

Habit: Perennial Climber

Hardiness: 9-11

Growth: Fast

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Longevity Spinach, Longevity Greens, Akar sebiak, Akar, Bau dat, Daun dewa, Ebure, Gipoi, Kacham akar, Kelemai merah, Kim that, Phti angkam, Rau hung lui, Sambung nyawa, Mollucan Spinach, Leaves of the Gods, Bai Bing Ca.

Synonyms

Cacalia cylindriflora Wall. [Invalid]. Cacalia finlaysoniana Wall. [Invalid]. Cacalia procumbens Lour. Cacalia reclinata Roxb. Cacalia sarmentosa Blume. Cacalia sarmentosa Lesch. ex Blume. Crassocephalum baoulense (Hutch. & Dalziel) Milne-Redh. Crassocephalum latifolium S.Moore. G. buntigii S.Moore. G. affinis Turcz. G. agusanensis Elmer. G. baoulensis Hutch. & Dalziel. G. cavalerei H.L?v. G. clementis Merr. G. finlaysoniana DC. G. latifolia (S.Moore) Elmer. G. lobbiana Turcz. G. piperi Merr. G. pubigera Bold. G. sarmentosa (Blume) DC. G. scabra Turcz. Senecio baoulensis A.Chev. Senecio mindoroensis Elmer.