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Flagellaria indica

Scientific Name: Flagellaria indica

Family: Flagellariaceae

Category: Monocot

Growth:

Duration:

Other Names:

       

Flagellaria indica

Flagellaria indica, commonly known as Supplejack, is a climbing plant found in many tropical and subtropical regions.

Considerations for Pets

  • This plant is a vigorous climber with cane-like stems.

Considerations for Children

  • This plant is a vigorous climber with cane-like stems.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Flagellaria indica L.
  • Family: Flagellariaceae
  • Synonyms:
    • Flagellaria indica var. minor Hook.f.
    • Flagellaria guineensis Schumach. (Basionym for Flagellaria indica var. guineensis)
  • Varieties:
    • Flagellaria indica var. gracilicaulis F.M.Bailey
    • Flagellaria indica var. guineensis (Schumach.) Engl.
    • Flagellaria indica var. indica

Common Names

  • Supplejack
  • False Rattan
  • Rotan tikus
  • Baling-uai
  • Rotan Dini
  • Common Flagellaria
  • Niksk (Chuuk)
  • Tok (Kosrae)
  • Vahipiky (Malagasy)
  • &#34276&#31481&#23376
  • &#34310&#31481&#34276

Distribution and Habitat

  • Flagellaria indica is native to the Old World, including:
    • India
    • Bangladesh
    • Southeast Asia
    • Polynesia
    • Australia
    • Africa
    • Samoan Islands
  • It grows in or near warmer coastal rainforests, frequently along streams or in gullies, often forming dense thickets.
  • It is also found on sandstone outcrops.

Ecological Role

  • In Réunion, Flagellaria indica is considered an "espèce indigne".

Morphological Characteristics

  • It is a robust perennial climber with stems usually reaching up to 15 meters high and 10 mm in diameter.
  • The plant is sparingly branched.
  • During vegetative growth, aerial shoots bifurcate regularly.
  • Perennial climber to 5 m. high.
  • Leaf-sheaths cylindric, entire, longitudinally ribbed, subtruncate, with a chartaceous rim on the margin opposed to the blade

Traditional Uses

  • The plant is gathered from the wild for local use, mainly as a source of material for making baskets.
  • It is also used as food and medicine.
  • In Fiji, the ears (likely referring to parts of the plant) are eaten.
  • In Madagascar, it is used to fabricate lobster traps.

Quirky Facts

  • The name "Flagellaria" refers to the long, flexible, whip-like shoots of the plant.
  • Even though axillary meristems are absent, aerial shoots of Flagellaria indica bifurcate regularly at intervals.

Further Information

  • EEB Greenhouse Accession Data for Flagellaria indica.
  • Discover Life's page about the biology, natural history, ecology, identification, and distribution of Flagellaria indica.
  • RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) provides help and information on Flagellaria indica.