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Stephania spp.

Menispermaceae Tropical Asia, Africa, Australia

HardinessZones 10–11

Overview

Stephania spp. is a genus of about 60 species of twining vines and tuberous perennials in the moonseed family (Menispermaceae), native to tropical and warm-temperate Asia, Africa, and Australia. Many species grow from a large, swollen tuber or caudex and send up slender annual twining stems several feet long each season; others are persistent woody climbers. The leaves are rounded and peltate, with the stalk attached inside the leaf margin, giving an umbrella-like blade 2-8 inches (5-20 cm) across. Small greenish to yellow flowers are borne in compact umbel-like clusters and are followed by flattened, horseshoe-shaped seeds typical of the family. Several species, including S. rotunda and S. erecta, are grown as caudex houseplants for their swollen tubers and round leaves. Stephania spp. contains isoquinoline alkaloids and is toxic if ingested. The genus grows in warm, frost-free conditions with bright indirect light, and the tuber rots in cold or waterlogged soil. Many species are dormant for part of the year, dropping their stems and leaves and resting as a bare tuber until warmth returns.

Native Range

Stephania spp. is native to tropical and warm-temperate Asia, Africa, and northern Australia. Species occur in forest margins, thickets, and rocky slopes from India and southern China through Southeast Asia to Australia and across tropical Africa.

Suggested Uses

Stephania spp. is grown as a tuberous caudex houseplant and as a warm-climate twining vine on trellises and frames. Its round peltate leaves and swollen tubers feature in container and indoor plant collections. Outdoor use is confined to frost-free gardens.

How to Identify

Identify Stephania spp. by its rounded, peltate leaves, in which the stalk joins the underside of the blade rather than the edge, producing an umbrella-like shape 2-8 inches (5-20 cm) across. Many species rise from a conspicuous swollen tuber or caudex and twine with slender stems. Small greenish-yellow flowers in compact clusters and flattened, horseshoe-shaped seeds confirm the moonseed family.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height3' - 15'

Width/Spread1' - 3'

Colors

Flower Colors

green

yellow

Foliage Colors

green

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~4 weeks

Summer

Flowering occurs in the warm growing season, often summer, on actively twining stems. The small greenish to yellow flowers are inconspicuous. In many species bloom is sporadic, especially on tuberous plants grown indoors.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunPartial Shade

Requires 2-6 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam sand

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

tender

Time to Maturity

2-3 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Stephania spp. grows in warm, frost-free conditions with bright indirect light and fast-draining soil. Water needs are medium during active growth and very low during dormancy, when the tuber rests bare and the stems die back. Overwatering, cold, or heavy soil rots the caudex, which is the main cause of failure. Soil pH from about 5.5 to 7.0 suits most species, and night temperatures above 60 F (16 C) keep growth active. Tuberous species need a dry rest once leaves yellow and drop. Plants resume growth from the tuber when warmth and moisture return.

Pruning

Pruning is limited to removing dead or spent twining stems at the end of the growing season as the plant enters dormancy. Stems that outgrow their support can be trimmed during active growth. The tuber itself is not cut.