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Strongylodon macrobotrys

Family Name:	Fabaceae (Leguminosae)
Common Name:	Jade Vine, Jadevine, Emerald Creeper, Jade Climber

Full Sun

Semi Shade

Moderate Water

Ornamental Flowers

Climber

Name

Family Name
Genus Epithet
Species Epithet
Name Status (botanical)
Common Names

Classifications and Characteristics

Plant Division	Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon)
Plant Growth Form	Climber
Lifespan (in Singapore)	Perennial

Mode of Nutrition	Autotrophic
Maximum Height	18 m

Biogeography

Native Distribution	Philippines
Native Habitat	Terrestrial (Primary Rainforest)
Preferred Climate Zone	Tropical

Description and Ethnobotany

Others - Plant Morphology	Growth Form: Evergreen, woody climber with twining growth habit. Habitat: Occurs in tropical rainforests, ravines and along streams. It is becoming increasingly rare in the wild due to habitat destruction and currently has a vulnerable conservation status. Stem: Woody stem has grey, smooth bark. Foliage: Light green leaves are trifoliate, consisting of 3 oblong leaflets (leaves 25 cm long, leaflets 8 - 13 cm long). Flowers: Claw-shaped flowers have a unique bluish green color (8 - 13 cm long). Flowers are arranged in long, hanging inflorescences known as pendent trusses or pseudoracemes (1.5 - 3 m long). Fruits: Fruit is a fleshy oblong or round pod (5 - 15 cm long) that has a short curly beak at the apex. It contains up to 12 light brown, oblong seeds. Landscaping: This species is planted for its unique and beautiful flowers. The vine can be trained over a trellis or pergola. Although this species flowers best when planted in the ground, it also flowers in large containers that are placed in sunny locations. Cultivation: Plant this species in fertile, well-draining soil that is slightly acidic to neutral (pH = 6 - 7). It will grow best if roots are located in a shady area, while leaves receive full sunlight. Apply a fertilizer rich in phosphorous bimonthly to promote blooming (eg., 7-9-5 NPK) at a concentration of 0.5 teaspoon per gallon of water. The stem needs to be at least 2 cm wide for flowering to occur. This species is resistant to most insects, but root diseases are likely to occur in soggy soils. Propagation: Propagate by stem cuttings or grafting. Stem cuttings will root better with bottom heat. Etymology: The species epithet "macrobotrys" is derived from the Greek words for large ("macros") and cluster ("botrys"). The reference is likely to the long, hanging inflorescences.

Others - Plant Morphology

Growth Form: Evergreen, woody climber with twining growth habit. Habitat: Occurs in tropical rainforests, ravines and along streams. It is becoming increasingly rare in the wild due to habitat destruction and currently has a vulnerable conservation status. Stem: Woody stem has grey, smooth bark. Foliage: Light green leaves are trifoliate, consisting of 3 oblong leaflets (leaves 25 cm long, leaflets 8 - 13 cm long). Flowers: Claw-shaped flowers have a unique bluish green color (8 - 13 cm long). Flowers are arranged in long, hanging inflorescences known as pendent trusses or pseudoracemes (1.5 - 3 m long). Fruits: Fruit is a fleshy oblong or round pod (5 - 15 cm long) that has a short curly beak at the apex. It contains up to 12 light brown, oblong seeds. Landscaping: This species is planted for its unique and beautiful flowers. The vine can be trained over a trellis or pergola. Although this species flowers best when planted in the ground, it also flowers in large containers that are placed in sunny locations. Cultivation: Plant this species in fertile, well-draining soil that is slightly acidic to neutral (pH = 6 - 7). It will grow best if roots are located in a shady area, while leaves receive full sunlight. Apply a fertilizer rich in phosphorous bimonthly to promote blooming (eg., 7-9-5 NPK) at a concentration of 0.5 teaspoon per gallon of water. The stem needs to be at least 2 cm wide for flowering to occur. This species is resistant to most insects, but root diseases are likely to occur in soggy soils. Propagation: Propagate by stem cuttings or grafting. Stem cuttings will root better with bottom heat. Etymology: The species epithet "macrobotrys" is derived from the Greek words for large ("macros") and cluster ("botrys"). The reference is likely to the long, hanging inflorescences.

Landscaping Features

Desirable Plant Features	Ornamental Flowers
Landscape Uses	Container Planting, General, Shade Providing Tree / Palm, Focal Plant

Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal

Pollination Method(s)	Biotic (Fauna) (Vertebrates (Bat))
Seed or Spore Dispersal	Abiotic (Gravity)

Plant Care and Propagation

Light Preference	Semi-Shade, Full Sun
Water Preference	Moderate Water
Plant Growth Rate	Moderate

Rootzone Tolerance	Fertile Loamy Soils, Well-Drained Soils, Acidic (low pH) Soils
Maintenance Requirements	Moderate
Propagation Method	Stem Cutting, Grafting

Foliar

Foliage Retention	Evergreen
Mature Foliage Colour(s)	Green
Mature Foliage Texture(s)	Glossy / Shiny

Foliar Type	Compound (Trifoliate)
Foliar Shape(s)	Non-Palm Foliage (Oblong)
Foliar Venation	Pinnate / Net
Foliar Margin	Entire
Foliar Apex - Tip	Rounded
Foliar Base	Rounded / Obtuse
Typical Foliar Area	Macrophyll ( 182.25cm2 - 1640.25 cm2 )
Prominent Young Flush Colour(s) Remarks	Black

Non - Foliar and Storage

Bark Colour(s)	grey
Mature Bark Texture	Smooth
Stem Type & Modification	Woody

Root Type

Underground (Tap Root)

Floral (Angiosperm)

Flower & Plant Sexuality	Bisexual Flowers
Flower Colour(s)	Blue, Green
Flower Symmetry	Bilateral

Flower Size - Remarks	6 cm wide
Flowering Habit	Polycarpic

Fruit, Seed and Spore

Mature Fruit Colour(s)	Yellow / Golden
Fruit Classification	Simple Fruit
Fruit Type	Fleshy Fruit

Image Repository

Images

Others

Master ID	210
Species ID	1506
Flora Disclaimer	The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes.

Species record last updated on: 03 January 2023.