Madeira Vine, Heartleaf madeiravine
Anredera cordifolia
Family: Basellaceae
What it is like
A perennial evergreen succulent climbing plant native to South America. As an ornamental it is easily trained to twine up trellises, fences, or rock walls for decoration or for screening.
Anredera cordifolia is an evergreen Perennial Climber growing to 9 m (29ft) by 0.2 m (0ft 8in) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9 and is frost tender. It is in flower from July to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). 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 can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil and can tolerate drought.
Height (m): 9
Where it is found
Naturalized in Texas, California and Florida in southern N. America where it grows in disturbed areas, fencerows and roadsides from sea level to 500 metres.
S. America - Southern Brazil to Northern Argentina.
Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed.
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 2
Root - cooked. We were supplied this plant by a friend who said that the root is edible. We have not seen any reports on its edibility. The raw root is crisp and pleasant when first put in the mouth, but soon degenerates into a mucilaginous mass described by some people as 'like eating catarrh' and in rather less flattering terms by others!. When well baked, the root loses this quality and is quite pleasant to eat. Leaves cooked. Used as a spinach.
Root: includes bulbs, corms, tubers, rhizomes etc.
Medicine
Rating: 0
The plant has been shown to have anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcer, and liver-protective effects.
Antiinflammatory: Reduces inflammation of joints, injuries etc.
Hepatic: Acts on the liver (for better or worse!).
Other
Rating: 1
An ornamental succulent vine. For landscaping purposes. Fast growing possessing fragrant white flowers, easily trained to twine up trellises, fences, or rock walls for decoration or for screening.
Scented Plants: Plants noted for their scent
How it is grown
Requires a well-drained humus-rich soil and a position in full sun or good indirect light. Established plants are drought tolerant. This plant seldom, if ever, produces seeds. We have very little information on this plant. The top growth is almost certainly not frost-hardy, though plants have continued growing in a polyhouse when other sensitive plants have died back as a result of frost damage. The tubers have also survived outdoors in a sunny sheltered position for three winters outdoors (as of May 2004), the plant coming back into growth in late spring. )The roots are likely to be hardier and, especially if well mulched, should survive most winters outdoors in the milder areas of the country. They are unlikely to survive sharp or persistent frosts. It should be possible to harvest the roots in the autumn after the top growth has been killed by frost and then store them in a cool but frost-free place for the winter, planting out in late spring (perhaps starting them off in a greenhouse beforehand). A climbing plant, supporting itself by twining around the thin branches of other plants.
Propagating it: Seed - we have no information on this plant, but, if seed can be obtained, suggest sowing it in a greenhouse in the spring. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant out in spring after the last expected frosts. Softwood cuttings. Division. Dig up the tubers at any time from late autumn to early spring. Store them in a cool but frost-free place and either pot them up in the greenhouse in early spring or plant them directly outside in late spring.
Best place to grow: Cultivated Beds;
Habit: Perennial Climber
Hardiness: 8-11
Growth: Fast
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: Semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Moist
Things to keep in mind
Very invasive in several introduced countries including Australia, New Zealand and on Pacific islands. It is considered an invasive species in many tropical and sub-tropical localities.