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Gynostemma pentaphyllum
  • Sweet Tea Vine

an annual or perennial member of the Gynostemma genus in the family Cucurbitaceae.

248px
Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • no shade
    No shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Acid to Alkaline
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 8
    Zone 8
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Gynostemma pentaphyllum has 0 edible uses listed
Gynostemma pentaphyllum has 0 material uses listed
Gynostemma pentaphyllum has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Edible uses

Notes

Leaves and young stems - cooked[1][2][3]. The leaves have a sweet taste and are used as a tea[1][2][3].

Leaves

Unknown use

Unknown part

Tea

Material uses

The plant is used in proprietary preparations for cosmetics and anti-ageing tonics[4].

Unknown part

Cosmetic

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

The whole plant is a tonic herb that improves the circulation, stimulates liver function, strengthens the immune and nervous systems, and reduces blood sugar and cholesterol levels[4]. It also has sedative effects, relieving spasms and lowering the blood pressure[4]. It is used internally in the treatment of nervous tension and exhaustion, peptic ulcer, asthma, bronchitis, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer[4]. It was rated among the ten most important tonic herbs at a conference on traditional medicines in Beijing in 1991[4].

Unknown part

Alterative
Anticholesterolemic
Antispasmodic
Hepatic
Hypoglycaemic
Sedative
Tonic

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Pre-soak the seed for 24 hours in warm water and then sow it in spring in a rich compost in a greenhouse, placing 2 - 3 seeds per pot. Thin the seedlings to the strongest in each pot and grow the plants on fast. Plant them out after the last expected frosts and protect them with a frame or cloche until they are growing away well.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Gynostemma pentaphyllum. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Requires a rich well-drained but moisture-retentive soil in a warm sheltered position in partial shade[4].

This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, it tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c[5]. A problematic crop outdoors in Britain, it can be grown successfully as an annual in a greenhouse but requires a long hot summer if it is to do well outdoors. Plants tend to be annuals or short-lived perennials[4]. A climbing plant, attaching itself to supports by means of tendrils[4].

Dioecious, male and female plants must be grown if seed is required. Some plants might be monoecious[5].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Gynostemma pentaphyllum. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Gynostemma pentaphyllum.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Gynostemma pentaphyllum
Genus
Gynostemma
Family
Cucurbitaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[1][2][3]
Medicinal uses
[4]
Material uses & Functions
[4]
Botanic
[6][5]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
8
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
no shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil Water Retention
well drained
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    ?
    Herbaceous or Woody
    ?
    Life Cycle
    annual, perennial
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    8 x meters
    Fertility
    self sterile
    Pollinators
    Insects
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    dioecious

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    "image:Gynostemma pentaphyllum 1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Gynostemma pentaphyllum 1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Gynostemma pentaphyllum 1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Gynostemma pentaphyllum 1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

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    References

    1. ? 1.01.11.2 Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing (1976-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.12.2 Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books ISBN 3874292169 (1984-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.13.2 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.14.24.34.44.54.64.74.84.9 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.15.2 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    6. ? Ohwi. G. Flora of Japan. (English translation) Smithsonian Institution (1965-00-00)

    Cite error: <ref> tag with name "PFAFimport-275" defined in <references> is not used in prior text.

    "image:Gynostemma pentaphyllum 1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    Retrieved from "https://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Gynostemma_pentaphyllum&oldid=77606"
    Facts about "Gynostemma pentaphyllum"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyCucurbitaceae +
    Belongs to genusGynostemma +
    Has binomial nameGynostemma pentaphyllum +
    Has common nameSweet Tea Vine +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partLeaves + and Unknown part +
    Has edible useUnknown use + and Tea +
    Has fertility typeSelf sterile + and Insects +
    Has flowers of typeDioecious +
    Has hardiness zone8 +
    Has imageGynostemma pentaphyllum 1.jpg +
    Has lifecycle typeAnnual + and Perennial +
    Has material partUnknown part +
    Has material useCosmetic +
    Has mature height8 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAlterative +, Anticholesterolemic +, Antispasmodic +, Hepatic +, Hypoglycaemic +, Sedative + and Tonic +
    Has primary imageGynostemma pentaphyllum 1.jpg +
    Has search namegynostemma pentaphyllum + and sweet tea vine +
    Has shade toleranceNo shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil texture preferenceSandy +, Loamy + and Clay +
    Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
    Has taxonomy nameGynostemma pentaphyllum +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF edible use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF material use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF medicinal use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF propagation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF toxicity notes migratedYes +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +
    Has subobjectThis property is a special property in this wiki.Gynostemma pentaphyllum +, Gynostemma pentaphyllum +, Gynostemma pentaphyllum +, Gynostemma pentaphyllum +, Gynostemma pentaphyllum +, Gynostemma pentaphyllum +, Gynostemma pentaphyllum +, Gynostemma pentaphyllum +, Gynostemma pentaphyllum + and Gynostemma pentaphyllum +