SafePlants

Flagellaria indica: Supplejack

Flagellaria indica, commonly known as Supplejack, is a climbing plant belonging to the family Flagellariaceae.

Considerations for Pets

• This plant is a rattan-like vine or liana, suggesting a flexible but potentially tough stem.

Considerations for Children

• The plant has long, flexible, whip-like shoots.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Flagellaria indica L.
• Family: Flagellariaceae
• Flagellaria is the sole genus in the Flagellariaceae family.
• Synonyms:
  • Flagellaria angustifolia Wall.
  • Flagellaria catenata L. ex B.A.Gomes.
  • Flagellaria leiroi Steud.
  • Flagellaria minor Blume.
  • Flagellaria philippinensis Elmer
  • Flagellaria indica var. guineensis (Schumach.) Engl.
  • Flagellaria indica var. gracilicaulis F.M.Bailey
  • Flagellaria indica var. minor Hook.f.

Distribution and Habitat

• Flagellaria indica is found in many tropical and subtropical regions of the Old World.
• Specific locations include India, Bangladesh, Southeast Asia, Polynesia, and Australia.
• It is also found in the littoral forests of Madagascar.
• It can be found in dense humid forests, mining scrublands, and marshy or swampy formations.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

• Flagellaria indica is a robust perennial climber with stems usually reaching up to 15 meters in height and 10 mm in diameter.
• It is sparingly branched.
• The stems can be smooth and up to 2.5 cm in diameter, completely covered by leaf-sheaths when young.
• Leaves have sheathing bases and terminate in a tendril.
• The species is described as a vine or liana, sometimes seen among shore vegetation.

Traditional and Current Uses

• In Gabon, the stems are used for hut construction and making necklaces.
• In Tanzania, they are used for making fish traps.
• In Transkei (South Africa), they are used for unspecified purposes.
• In Madagascar, it's used to make lobster traps.