Jade vine

What does Jade vine look like?

Jade vine is a vigorous woody climber with thick stems that can reach up to 18 meters long. Its leaves are pale green and made up of three oblong leaflets, with the middle one being the largest. The plant's most striking feature is its large, hanging clusters of claw-shaped flowers, which range in color from blue-green to mint green and can be up to 3 meters long. Each flower resembles a butterfly with folded wings, and the clusters hang like bunches of grapes. The color is a result of unique pigments and pH conditions in the flower tissues.

Where does Jade vine come from?

Jade vine is endemic to the Philippines, where it grows wild in damp forests and ravines, often beside streams. It was first collected in 1841 on Mount Makiling, Luzon, by the United States Exploring Expedition and later described by botanist Asa Gray. Its scientific name refers to the long, grape-like clusters of fruit and the rounded teeth of the calyx. The plant's limited natural range and dependence on specific bat pollinators have contributed to its rarity and endangered status.

When and how Jade vine blooms

Jade vine blooms in tropical climates and needs warmth and humidity to thrive. It is usually grown over pergolas or tall supports to show off its hanging flower clusters. In cultivation outside its native range, it must be grown in glasshouses or conservatories with temperatures above 15°C. The plant is difficult to propagate, but can be grown from seeds (if hand-pollinated) or from cuttings. In the wild, bats pollinate the flowers, but in gardens, hand pollination is often needed for seed production.

How Jade vine is used

In its native Philippines, jade vine flowers are eaten as a vegetable, similar to katurai. In Hawaii, the flowers are sometimes used to make lei. The plant is highly valued as an ornamental in gardens and conservatories for its unusual turquoise blooms. Its rarity and striking appearance make it a collector's favorite, but it is threatened by habitat loss and the decline of its natural pollinators.

Kinds of Jade vine

Other species in the Strongylodon genus exist, but none match the turquoise color of S. macrobotrys. The red jade vine, Mucuna bennettii, looks similar but belongs to a different genus and has red flowers. Strongylodon juangonzalezii, another Philippine species, has purple to blue flowers.

What Jade vine means

Jade vine is a symbol of the Philippines’ unique flora and is admired for its rare flower color. It is considered endangered due to rainforest destruction and loss of pollinators. The plant is featured in botanical gardens worldwide and is a subject of conservation efforts, including seed saving at institutions like Kew Gardens. Its flowers are also used in local food and festival crafts.

Questions people ask about Jade vine

Good reading and sources

• Strongylodon macrobotrysRoyal Horticultural Society, Article
• Plants of the World OnlineRoyal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Plant database
• Where it has been recordedGBIF, Plant database
• Sightings and photos by naturalistsiNaturalist, Plant database

• Strongylodon macrobotrys on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
• Wikidata recordOpen data