Madeira vine, Potato vine
Anredera cordifolia
Family: Basellaceae
What it is like
A climber or vine. The stems are 3-7 m long. It has aerial potato like tubers along the stem. They are 1-3 cm long. The leaves are small, fleshy and closely arranged. They are simple and 3-15 cm long by 2-10 cm wide. The leaf stalks are 5-15 cm long. The flowers are small, white and fragrant. The are in racemes in the axils of leaves. The flowers are about 6 mm across. They are white with green or white bracts. They have a scent. The fruit is a nut about 1 mm across.
There are 5-10 Anredera species. It can become invasive.
Where it is found
It is a tropical plant. It grows in South China. It becomes invasive in warm, moist climates. It needs light well-drained soil. In tropical Queensland it grows from sea level to 720 m altitude. In Argentina it grows from sea level to 2,000 m above sea level. It is damaged by drought and frost. Tasmania Herbarium. It grows in Sichuan.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Andes, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Brazil, Central America, Chile, China, Easter Island, Eswatini, Europe, France, Hawaii, India, Indonesia, Malta, Mediterranean, Mexico, New Zealand, North America, Pacific, Paraguay, Portugal, Puerto Rico, SE Asia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America (country/location of origin), Spain, Sri Lanka, St Helena, Swaziland, Taiwan, Tasmania, Uruguay, USA, West Indies
How it is used for food
The leaves can be eaten raw in salads or used as a potherb or prepared with sesame oil and soy sauce. The tubers are boiled and eaten.
It is cultivated. It is sold in local markets.
Edible parts
Leaves, tubers, root
How it is grown
It can reproduce from small tubers along the stems. It can be grown from cuttings.
Its other names
Local names
Ala-niviti, Bartelha-coracao, Binahong, Bridal wreath, Cascade creeper, Jalap, Lamb's tail, Mei dang sha, Mignonette vine, Pa bang
Synonyms
Anredera cordifolia subsp. gracilis (Miers) Xifreda & Argimon; Boussingaultia cordata Spreng; Boussingaultia cordifolia Ten.;