Climbing hempweed, Chinese creeper
Mikania micrantha
Family: Asteraceae
What it is like
A climber. It is a slender vine that branches. The stem are yellow. The leaves are opposite. The leaf stalks are 1-6 cm long. The leaves are oval and 3-13 cm long by 10 cm wide. The base is heart shaped. There can be coarse teeth along the edge.
It is considered a serious weed. As a medicine it is used as an anti-malarial drig.
Where it is found
It is a tropical plant. In Argentina it grows from sea level to 2,000 m above sea level. It grows along rivers and in marshy areas. In Sikkim it grows between 300-1,700 m above sea level.
Countries/locations it is found in
American Samoa, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Bougainville, Brazil, British Indian Ocean Terr., BIOT, Caribbean (country/location of origin), Central America, China, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Fiji, Guyana, India, Mexico, Myanmar, Niue, Northeastern India, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Puerto Rico, Rotuma, Samoa, SE Asia, Sikkim, Solomon Islands, South America (country/location of origin), Sri Lanka, Tuvalu, Uruguay, Vanuatu, West Indies
How it is used for food
The leaves are used for a tea drink probably more as a medicine.
Edible parts
Leaves - tea, medicine?
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Bitter tally, Fue saina, Guaco falso, Josuralata, Mekanilata, Pakama maituru, Ren bale, Taralata, Wayamaka erepari