Scientific name
Common name
Family
Origin
Laos and Vietnam
Description
The Tonkin Vine is a very vigorous perennial liana, up to 10 m wide and with robust stems. Its leaves are compound and palmate with 3 to 5 obovate or rhombic leaflets with toothed margins that can measure between 11 and 20 cm long each. On one side they are bright dark green while on the reverse side they have a very characteristic tan color.
The flowers are inconspicuous. It is a dioecious species, which means that there are male and female specimens.
Marimurtra’s specimens
Above the coat of arms of the Pérgola, in the first Garden, you can see a highly developed specimen of the chestnut vine. It measures about 3 m in width and from time to time it is necessary to cut it down to control its extension.
Did you know that…?
As a curiosity, it is worth noting that the roots of the chestnut vine are hosts to the parasitic plant Rafflesia arnoldii, which has the largest flowers in the world and lacks stems, leaves and roots.
Threat level (UICN)
Main uses
Raunkiaer Life Forms
