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Medicine- It is used in the treatment of conditions such as arthrosis, bleeding, bronchosis, cancer, catarrh, coughs, diarrhoea, enterosis, fevers, flu, headaches, inflammations, malaria, pain, rheumatism, snake bites, splenosis, syphilis, trypanosomiasis and tumours. Ornamental- It is widely commercialized as an ornamental plant
Mexico to Tropical America
Thrives in tropical and pre-montane forests in warm, humid environments.
It is rapidly growing woody vine reaching impressive heights. Can also grow as a sprawling shrub in some cases.
Stem is strong and flexible, cylindrical in shape. Brown in color with numerous lenticels (raised bumps on the stem). Can reach over 8 cm in diameter and extend over 2000 cm in length, climbing into treetops. Adventitious roots grow from the stem to anchor the vine securely to vertical surfaces. The vine has minimal branching until it reaches increased light levels.
Leaves are compound with two leaflets and a distinctive, three-clawed tendril arising between them.The tendril allows the vine to grasp onto surfaces for climbing. Leaflets are generally ovate to lanciolate in shape (egg-shaped to narrow and elliptical), but can vary in size.
Flowers are showy, tubular flowers measuring 4.5 to 10 cm long. They have five lobes and boast a bright yellow color with attractive red-orange lines running down the throat.
Fruit is developed from the flower and mature into long, narrow capsule. This capsule can reach up to 75 cm in length and 1.0-1.5 cm wide. They are flattened and contain brown, flattened, winged seeds for dispersal.