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Tinospora crispa

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Tinospora crispa (L.) Miers ex Hook. f. & Thomson

Family Name: Menispermaceae
Synonyms: Tinospora nudiflora, Tinospora rumphii, Menispermum crispum
Common Name: Petawali, Makabuhai, Liane-quinine

Tinospora crispa, also known as Petawali is a climbing vine from tropical and subtropical regions, that has attractive heart-shaped leaves and warty stems. This plant is used in traditional medicines to treat many illnesses for its pharmacological activities.

Name

Family Name
Genus Epithet
Species Epithet
Name Authority
Name Status (botanical)
Synonyms
Common Names
Comments
Species Summary

Classifications and Characteristics

Plant Division Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon)
Plant Growth Form Climber, Shrub
Lifespan (in Singapore) Perennial
Mode of Nutrition Autotrophic
Maximum Height 4 m to 10 m

Biogeography

Native Distribution Southern China, Indochina, India, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia
Native Habitat Terrestrial (Primary Rainforest, Secondary Rainforest, Monsoon Forest, Temperate Forest)
Preferred Climate Zone Tropical, Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal, Temperate
Local Conservation Status Non-native (Spontaneous (Casual))

Description and Ethnobotany

Growth Form A woody vine with attractive heart-shaped leaves, and fleshy stems with numerous warty protuberances known as tubercles.
Foliage The leaves are large, heart-shaped measuring about 6–12 cm long and 7–12 cm wide. Petioles are glabrous and 5–15 cm long. Leaf blade is slightly fleshy, and smooth, with entire to wavy margin.
Stems The younger stems are slightly fleshy and smooth, while the mature stems are thick and fleshy with blunt tubercles.
Flowers Flowers are small, yellowish green.
Fruit Fruit is 7-8 mm long.
Cultivation This plant tolerates a wide range of soils, and grows especially well in secondary forests. Propagated by stem cuttings, which remain viable for around 1 year if stored in a sealed container. Popularly planted as a herbal plant.
Ethnobotanical Uses Edible Plant Parts : Edible Fruits
Food (Herb or Spice)
Medicinal: Malays and Filipinos consider it a universal cure-all -- the Tagalog name 'Makabuhai' means 'to give life'. Parts of stems and powdered extracts commonly sold in traditional Chinese medical halls.
Others: Stem decotions used to purify blood, as well as to treat stomachache, fever, worms, gonorrhoea and skin conditions like itch and ulcers. Stem and root extracts used to relieve malaria, high blood pressure, diabetes and bacterial abscesses. Powdered stem believed to stimulate appetite in horses and cattle, and used to fatten up livestock.

Landscaping Features

Desirable Plant Features Ornamental Foliage, Fragrant (Flowers) (Day), Ornamental Trunk, Ornamental Stems
Landscape Uses Vertical Greenery / Green Wall
Thematic Landscaping Economic Garden
SGMP Treatment
Plant & Rootzone Preference or Tolerance Remarks Plant tolerates a wide range of soils.

Plant Care and Propagation

Light Preference Full Sun
Water Preference Moderate Water
Plant Growth Rate Fast
Rootzone Tolerance Fertile Loamy Soils, Poor Infertile Soils
Maintenance Requirements Moderate
Propagation Method Stem Cutting
Propagation Method Remarks Cuttings remain viable for around a year, if stored in sealed box.

Foliar

Foliage Retention Deciduous
Mature Foliage Colour(s) Green
Mature Foliage Texture(s) Smooth, Glossy / Shiny, Raised / Sunken Veins
Foliar Type Simple / Unifoliate
Foliar Arrangement Along Stem Spiral
Foliar Shape(s) Non-Palm Foliage (Ovate)
Foliar Venation Pinnate / Net
Foliar Margin Entire - Wavy / Undulate
Foliar Apex - Tip Cuspidate
Foliar Base Cordate
Typical Foliar Area Mesophyll ( 45cm2 - 182.25 cm2 )

Non - Foliar and Storage

Bark Colour(s) Green
Stem Type & Modification Woody
Root Type Underground (Fibrous Root), Aboveground (Aerial Root)
Mature Bark Texture Remarks Stems have numerous protuberances known as tubercles.

Floral (Angiosperm)

Flower & Plant Sexuality Bisexual Flowers
Flower Colour(s) Green
Flowering Habit Polycarpic

Fruit, Seed and Spore

Mature Fruit Colour(s) Orange
Fruit Classification Simple Fruit

References

References https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2016.00059/full

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Master ID 18614
Species ID 3346
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: 15 February 2022.
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