Nearly all taxa in Calystegia intergrade geographically into neighboring taxa with the exception of the widespread coastal species, C. soldanella (Linnaeus) R. Brown. It is impossible to draw clearly defined specific limits, and intermediate forms are always found where two taxa approximate geographically[].

Common Name:

General Information

Calystegia hederacea is a herbaceous perennial plant producing stems usually 10 - 60cm long, but up to 100cm, from a rhizomatous rootstock. The stems are erect when young, later shoots are prostrate or twining[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and a food.

Known Hazards

Although no reports of toxicity have been seen for this species, at least some, if not all members of this genus are purgative[], some caution is advised.

Botanical References

, ,

Range

Asia - Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, China, Mongolia, Serbia, Russian Far East, Japan, Korea, Myanmar, Malaysia

Habitat

Sunny grassy places and thickets in lowland and hills58]. Fields, wasteland, roadsides, river banks, often on sandy soils; at elevations from 100 - 3,500 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial Climber
Height	1.00 m
Pollinators	Bees, Lepidoptera
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Easily grown in ordinary garden soil in a sunny position, but plants are apt to become invasive[, ].

Edible Uses

Root - cooked[, ], then washed and steamed. Considered to be very nutritious, it is rich in starch and sugar but it should not be eaten regularly[].

Young shoots - cooked[, ].

Medicinal

The seed is simmered in water as a diuretic to stimulate kidney secretions[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame in a free draining compost and only just cover. The seed usually germinates in 1 - 3 months at 15°c[]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a cold frame for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Division in early spring whilst dormant[].