Spotted leaved marsdenia
Ruehssia macrophylla

Family: Apocynaceae

What it is like

A vine. The leaves are simple and opposite. The flowers are green and white.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in dry sandy savannah. In Argentina it grows from sea level to 1,500 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Argentina, Asia, Bolivia, Brazil (country/location of origin), Caribbean, Central America, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guadeloupe, Guyana, India, Martinique, Mexico, Nicaragua, Northeastern India, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, South America, St Lucia, Suriname, Trinidad-Tobago, Venezuela, West Indies

How it is used for food

The stems and leaves are boiled and eaten. They are bitter.

Stems and leaves are sold in local markets.

Edible parts

Stem, leaves

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

An-kha-pui, Talayote

Synonyms

Asclepias macrophylla Humb. & Bonpl. ex Schult.; Marsdenia maculata Hook; Marsdenia macrophylla (Humb. & Bonpl. ex Schult.) E. Fourn.; Ruehssia purpurea Schltdl.; and others