Dregea volubilis

Dregea volubilis, Syn: Wattakaka volubilis. Commonly known as Sneeze Wort, Green wax flower and Akadbel, Hirandoli, Hemajivanti is a large woody climber native to India. Its new leaves have silvery gray soft woolly growth. As the leaves mature the hairy growth becomes less. The flowers grow in a cluster and are absolutely green in colour. These flowers are mildly scented but the scent is exuded only in the evening and at night. The fruits normally are borne as twins. At maturity the pod splits and the seeds having silky, soft tufts like parachutes fly quite far and wide with wind. The climber is supposed to have certain medicinal properties. It is also a food plant for Blue Tiger butterfly larva.

Telosma cordata

Telosma cordata is commonly known as Tonkin jasmine, Pakalana vine and Tonkinese creeper. I have named it as Marble-leaf climber. The leaves are very attractive with dark green, light green and white colours, having interesting marbled effect. The climber has yellow flowers and blooms normally in monsoon. Though the climber has flowers, it is a shy bloomer; it does not bloom profusely. However, its attractive leaves compensate that deficiency. The climber is easily propagated with stem cutting. It can tolerate full sunlight but on terrace or a cemented floor the leaves may get scorched due to reflected heat. It grows best in semi shade. This climber can be grown in pots and can be a trellis mounted in the pot. It is also suitable for arches or pergolas.

Tinospora glabra

Tinospora glabra is an uncultivated woody and large climber. Its common name Amarvel (अमरवेल) is due to its tenacious habit of surviving even in worst conditions. Its other common names are Amrita, Amritvel, Giloyi, Gudachi and Gulvel . Quite often it becomes invasive and climbs on large trees. On a tree it can grow to such an extent that it can smother the tree.  If someone cuts stem of this climber near the ground, the climber sends down wiry aerial roots, which penetrate the ground to get water and nutrients from soil. Thus it becomes very difficult to control it. Birds love the fruits of the climber and through their droppings the seeds are dispersed far and wide.  

Tinospora glabra leaf

Tinospora glabra climber

Tinospora glabra flowers

Tinospora glabra fruit

In spite of it being an invasive, it has many medicinal uses. Its scientific name is Tinospora glabra, Syn: Tinospora cordifolia. Cordifolia means heart-shaped leaves. Cross section of mature stem of this climber reveals cart-wheel like pattern. Tinospora glabra and Tinospora malabarica are two species of this climber. Tinospora glabra has smooth leaves while leaves of Tinospora malabarica are hairy. Besides, T. malabarica is much more invasive than T. glabra. It is reported that T. glabra has better medicinal properties compared to T. malabarica. So if one wants to buy this plant from a nursery, see that the leaves are not hairy. Both these species are drought resistant and are native to India. They belong to Menispermaceae family.

Tinospora malabarica with hairy leaves

Cart-wheel pattern of the cross section of the stem