Antigonon leptopus

Antigonon leptopus
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Core eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Polygonaceae
Genus: Antigonon
Species: A. leptopus
Binomial name
Antigonon leptopus
Hook. & Arn.[1]
Synonyms[2]
  • Antigonon amabie K.Koch
  • Antigonon cinerascens M.Martens & Galeotti
  • Antigonon cordatum M.Martens & Galeotti
  • Antigonon platypus Hook. & Arn.
  • Corculum leptopus Stuntz

Antigonon leptopus, commonly known as Mexican creeper, coral vine, bee bush (in most Caribbean islands) or San Miguelito vine, is a species of flowering plant in the buckwheat family, Polygonaceae. It is a perennial that is native to Mexico. It is a vine with pink or white flowers (Antigonon leptopus 'alba' ).

Invasive species

It is listed as a category II invasive exotic by the Florida's pest plant council.

Antigonon leptopus in China,from Flower View

Description

Antigonon leptopus is a fast-growing climbing vine that holds via tendrils, and is able to reach 25 ft or more in length. It has cordate (heart shaped), sometimes triangular leaves 2½ to 7½ cm long the flowers are borne in panicles, clusted along the rachis producing pink or white flowers from spring to autumn, it forms underground tubers and large rootstocks, it is a prolific seed producer, the seeds float on water, the fruit and seeds are eaten and spread by a wide range of animals such as pigs, raccoons and birds. The tubers will resprout if it is cut back or damaged by frost.

Coral Vine photographed at Jaipur, India.
This is a white colored flowering variety of coral vine at AC&RI, Killikulam, India

Uses

Antigonon leptopus was prepared for consumption by the aboriginal inhabitants of Baja California in a way reminiscent of popcorn. The seeds were toasted by placing them in a flat basket made of flexible twigs torn into several strips and woven to make a solid surface. On top of the seeds they would put live coals, and with both hands they would shake the basket so that the coals come up against the seeds, toasting them but not burning the basket. When the toasting is finished the burned out coals are removed and a major portion of the seeds are burst open exposing a white meal. Afterwards the seeds are separated from the husks from which they have come by dextrously tossing them into the air with the basket, just as wheat is winnowed in Spain. Thus cleaned they would grind and eat the prepared meal. They would also boil it and make fried cakes.[3]

Gallery

References

  1. ↑ "Taxon: Antigonon leptopus Hook. & Arn.". Germplasm Resources Information Network. United States Department of Agriculture. 2007-06-06. Retrieved 2010-10-21.
  2. ↑ "The Plant List: A Working List of All Plant Species". Retrieved May 16, 2014.
  3. ↑ http://www.jstor.org/discover/10.2307/3628552

External links

Media related to Antigonon leptopus at Wikimedia Commons Data related to Antigonon leptopus at Wikispecies


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