Scindapsus officinalis

Family: Araceae

What it is like

A climbing shrub. It attaches to and feeds from other plants. It roots freely from the stem. It is marked with annual scars of fallen leaves. The leaves are stalked. They are 12-25 cm long by 7-15 cm wide. They are oval and taper to the tip. They sheath the base. The base is oblique and rounded or can be heart shaped. The flowers are yellowish. The fruit is a berry. It is fleshy.

There are about 40 Scindapsus species.

Where it is found

In Nepal it grows to about 1200 m altitude. It trails on tree trunks and branches.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, SE Asia, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The roasted seeds are eaten. The leaves are eaten as a vegetable.

Edible parts

Seeds, leaves

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed or root offshoots.

Its other names

Local names

Kanchini, Gaja-pippali, Kari-pippali, Kapiballi, Gajapipal, Pippaljhanca, Bari-pipli, Thorapimpli, Mottopiper, Enugapippalu, Gaja-pippallu, Anaittippili, Dodda-hippali, Gaja-hippali, Anattippili, Girudhuni, Gojapippali, Dhare jhapak, Poriabel, Hattipipli

Synonyms

Pothos officinalis Roxb.; See Epipremnum;