Leea macrophylla (Large-leaved Leea)
Botanical name: Leea macrophylla
Common names: Large-leaved Leea, Hathikana
Family: Vitaceae (Formerly:Leeaceae)
Origin: Indochina, India
USDA Zone: 9-10
Plant form: Large bush
Mature height: 5-10 ft
Sun exposure: Full sun or bright light indoor
Cold tolerance: Frost sensitive. Protect from freezing.
Watering: Regular; moderate
Suitable for: Outdoors in the suitable USDA zone; small gardens, containers, and indoor growing
Ethnomedical: Ethnomedical plant, traditionally used in folk or indigenous medicineLarge-leaved Leea is a very rare plant. It is native to India and cultivated in E. Asia - southwest China, India, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam. This plant has impressive large tropical leaves. Hathikana, literally meaning having elephant ears. The plant has switchy branches and perennial tuberous roots. Leaves are ovate-cordate, conspicuously large - lower leaves up to 25" in diameter. The large leaves lend it many of its common names. Tiny greenish white flowers in corymbose cymes. Berries are depressed-globose, black. Flowering: July-September.
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine, and dye. It is planted in Sri Lanka for its medicinal use. Leaves - cooked and eaten as a vegetable.
Grow in filtered light.
Similar plants: Leea macrophylla (Large-leaved Leea)
