Supplejack, Whip vine, Lawyer vine
Flagellaria indica

Family: Flagellariaceae

What it is like

An evergreen vine. It grows to 10 m tall. It climbs high into trees by modified tendrils on the tips of leaves. The stem is vigorous and branching. The stems are woody and 1-3 cm thick. The stem is covered with overlapping leaf sheaths. The leaves are narrow and sword shaped. They taper at both ends and the tips curve backwards forming tendrils. Leaves are 8-30 cm long and 0.7-2 cm wide. They are bright green and have parallel veins. They do not have a leaf stalk but clasp the stem. The flowers are very small and occur in sprays at the ends of branches. They are white. The fruit are berries which are small and fleshy and red when ripe. They are 0.3-0.5 cm across. The fruit are edible.

There are 4 Flagellaria species. There is only one genus in the Flagellariaceae family. The plant has a range of medicinal uses.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It does best with a well drained soil rich in compost. It needs a protected sunny position. It is damaged by drought and frost. It grows naturally in rainforests and along the edge of streams. It can be along the edges of mangroves. It grows up to 1,600 m above sea level. It suits humid locations. It can grow on sandstone soils. It suits hardiness zones 9-12.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Andamans, Asia, Australia, Cambodia, China, East Africa, East Timor, Fiji, FSM, Guam, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Japan, Kosrae, Lord Howe Island, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mariana Islands, Mauritius, Micronesia, Mozambique, Myanmar, New Caledonia, Pacific Islands, Palau, Pan tropical, Papua New Guinea, Pohnpei, Reunion, Samoa, SE Asia, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The young shoots and leaves are eaten after boiling. The fruit is eaten. The sweet stems are also chewed.

Edible parts

Fruit, shoots, leaves, stem

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. The seed need to be sown fresh.

In Australia, flowering occurs periodically mainly December to March.

Its other names

Local names

Ban-chanda, Bejuco halum-tano, Bomugra, Dule, False rattan, Hisa-biko, Kokrok, Myauk-kyien, Owar, Panambuvalli, Poyinadiputatige, Rotan dini, Rotan mambang, Rotan-rotanan, Rotan tikus, Vahipiki, Viko, Wai ling, Wai yep chak, Wai-ling, Wala, Wowo

Synonyms

Flagellaria indica var. gracilicaulis F. M. Bailey; Flagellaria indica var. minor Hook.f.;