| Etymology | Genus | Four horns, referring to the pointed fruiting capsules |
|---|---|---|
| Species | India | |
| Family | Dilleniaceae | |
| Synonyms | - | |
| Common Names | Sandpaper Vine | |
| Status | Native: Common | |
| Form | Climber | |
| Native Distribution | Indochina, Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, Sumatra, and Java | |
Diagnostics:
Tetracera indica is a woody climber very common in secondary forests. The alternative elliptic leaves have distinct secondary veins, acute drip tips, and usually have reddish petioles. The young non-woody stems are also reddish and is rough when rubbed along one side. The woody stems have light brown bark and knobby at intervals. The flowers are also diagnostic.
Interesting Facts:
In Indonesia, the young shoots of the Sandpaper Vine are crushed into poultice for treating poisonous snake bites and festering fingers (Tawan, 2001). The fruits are also taken against the common cold.
Form of the Sandpaper Vine.
The woody stem is light brown and knobbly.
Note the clear venation, drip tips, and reddish petiole.
Young leaves are serrated.
Flower.
Capsules with pointed tips.
Stringy red aril covering the seed.
References
Tawan CS. (2001) Tetracera indica (Houtt. ex Christm. & Panz.) Merr. In: van Valkenburg JLCH and Bunyapraphatsara N (eds.) Plant Resources of South-East Asia. No. 12(2): Medicinal and poisonous plants 2. Backhuys Publisher, Leiden, The Netherlands, pp 541-542.Author: Siyang
Posted: 2014-02-08 / Modified: 2017-12-25
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