Bush banana, Hairy Milk Vine, Yellow Milk Vine
Pergularia flavescens

Family: Apocynaceae

What it is like

A robust climber. It grows 1-6 m tall. The stems are slender and twining. The young growth is hairy. The leaves are 8-12 cm long by 3-4 cm wide. They are oval or oblong. They are dark green and shiny above and hairy underneath. The flowers are in clusters and can be in the axils of leaves or at the ends of branches. The flowers are 0.3 cm across. They have a scent. The follicles or dry many seeded fruit are 4-6 cm long by 0.8-1 cm wide. They are narrowly oval and taper.

There are about 25 Marsdenia species. They are mostly tropical.

Where it is found

Subtropical. It grows in open forest or rainforest. They require moist, well drained soil. They prefer light shade. They can tolerate some frost.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

The root is eaten after appropriate preparation.

Edible parts

Plant, root

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed or cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Marsdenia flavescens Cunn.;