Elephant creeper, Woolly morning-glory
Argyreia nervosa

Family: Convolvulaceae

What it is like

A twining vine. It keeps growing from year to year. It can grow 14 m or more long. The stems are covered with woolly white hairs. The leaves are broad and heart shaped. They are 30 cm wide. The underside of the leaves has soft silvery hairs. The flowers are purple and trumpet shaped. They flare out and are pink. The throat is darker and they have white felty hairs. They have large, papery bracts around them. The fruit is a brown capsule. The flowers are pollinated by hawkmoths at night.

There are 90 Argyreia species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in the lowlands and up to 800 m above sea level. It needs moderate moisture and an average, well-drained soil. It can grow in full sun or light shade. It occurs in rainforest in Queensland between 30-300 m altitude. It suits humid locations.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Antilles, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Dominican Republic, East Africa, Haiti, Hawaii, Himalayas, India (country/location of origin), Indochina, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, Pacific, Philippines, Puerto Rico, SE Asia, Thailand, USA, Virgin Islands, West Africa, West Indies

How it is used for food

The young leaves are eaten as a vegetable. The harvested leaves can be stored for 3-4 days. The leaves are covered in wheat flour, steamed, chopped and then fried. Caution: The seeds are probably poisonous. They have been recorded as being eaten in India. The pods are scraped and boiled and the water changed and used as a vegetable or in chutneys. The ripe fruit are recorded as being eaten raw.

Edible parts

Leaves, caution, pods, seeds, vegetable

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds or cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Bai-la-baht, Bai-rabaat, Baswrael, Biangham, Bichtarak, Bistarak, Brudhajarak, Chandrapada, Hajo-seda, Hawaiian baby woodrose, Kaoasang, Kazun-gyi, Kedo ara, Liana gajah, Marikkuni, Panjo, Phak-rabaat, Samander-ka-pat, Samudra phul, Samudra soka, Samudrapala, Samupadra-pacha, Samudrasok, Sedang-dahon, Somdur soup, Uisul, Widhara

Synonyms

Argyreia speciosa (L.f.) Sw.; Convolvulus nervosus Burm.f.; Convolvulus speciosa L.f.;