Scrambling lily, Climbing lily, Shepherd's joy
Geitonoplesium cymosum

Family: Xanthorrhoeaceae

What it is like

An evergreen climbing plant. It grows to 1-8 m high. It keeps growing from year to year. The stem is smooth and wiry and has many branches. Many branches can often be leafless. The leaves are oval or long shaped with fine veins. They are 5-8 cm long by 1-2 cm wide and have short leaf stalks. The flowers are star-like and creamy white, green or purplish. They have 3 petal-like sepals and 3 petals. These flowers occur in heads which hang over and are at the ends of branches. The heads are 10 cm long. The flowers have a sweet smell. The fruit are bluish-black round berries. They are 0.8 cm across.

There is only one Geitonoplesium species. The vine is used for tying construction timber in housing. It is to be included in the Hemerocallidaceae and Luzuriagaceae and Philesaceae.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It does best in medium to heavy soils. It needs a protected shaded position. It is damaged by drought but can tolerate frost. It grows in moist forest.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia, Britain, Europe, Fiji, Indonesia, New Caledonia, Norfolk Island, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, SE Asia, Solomon Islands

How it is used for food

The very young shoots can be cooked and eaten.

Edible parts

Shoots, leaves, fruit

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed or cuttings. Seeds are slow to germinate. They can take 12 months to grow. Seed treatment is helpful. Plants can be grown by division of the fleshy root system.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Eustrephus timorensis Ridl.; Geitonoplesium asperum A. Cunn. ex R. Br.; Geitonoplesium montanum A. Cunn.; Geitonoplesium angustifolium A. Koch; Luzuriaga cymosa R. Br.; Luzuriaga laxiflora Hallier f.; Luzuriaga montana R. Br.; Luzuriaga timorensis (Ridl.) Hallier f.;