Edible : Leaves
An evergreen vine. The stem is sturdy and climbing. It can be 5-12 m long. The older stems can be 3-4 cm thick. The young shoots can grow for several metres without producing leaves. The leaves are divided and have a silky surface underneath. There are 7-15 leaflets. These are oblong and 2-42 cm long by 2-8 cm wide. They are widest near the tip before tapering to a point. The flowers are bright red and pea shaped. They occur in clusters. The clusters are 11-26 cm long. They have rusty hairs. The fruit is an oblong pod 4-8 cm long and 2-2.5 cm wide. There are 1-3 seeds inside.
Distribution : It is a tropical plant. It prefers humid well drained soil. It needs a protected sunny position. It is drought and frost tender. In Papua New Guinea it grows from sea level to 70 m altitude.
Other names:
Bakal bih, Co-rua, Etam chali, Hiru alu, Hon, Makoi sopa, Myin-gaung-nwe, Tuba Root
Paraderris elliptica (Wallich) Adema;