Red Jade Vine (Mucuna benettii)
Rare various Seeds
Amazing long cascading clusters of brilliant red flowers chained together to form a 3' to 4' long raceme of splendour. It's much rarer than its distant cousin (blue/green jade vine) but is very popular in gardens that accommodate this vine. Origin is New Guinea but flourishes in tropical to semi tropical regions as well. A must for the serious collector! Roots must be in shade. A very large, woody climber. Vivid scarlet or flame colored, in a long inflorence. Can be used to climb a large tree or a very large pergola. A magnificent vine, one you will never forget once you have seen it! Just remember, it does need room to spread.
Life Stage & CharacteristicsPlant Division :Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants)
Plant Growth Form :Climber, Vine & Liana
Lifespan (in Singapore) :Perennial
Mode of Nutrition :Autotrophic
Plant Shape :Weeping / Pendulous
Biogeography
Native Distribution :New Guinea
Native Habitat :Terrestrial
Preferred Climate Zone :Tropical, Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal
Local Conservation Status :Exotic (Horticultural / Cultivated Only)
Description & Ethnobotany
Plant Morphology :Growth Form: A large woody climber.
Foliage: Glossy green, trifoliate. Leaflets are ovate in shape. Leaves are alternately arranged along the stem.
Flowers: Cascading clusters of bright red flowers in raceme inflorescence.
Cultivation :Ensure roots are in shade. Plant eventually grows to a big climber, therefore requires large space to spread.
Etymology :The genus Mucuna is the Brazilian vernacular name for cow-itch, which is Mucuna pruriens.The specific epithet bennettii is named after A.W. Bennett, a British botanist.
Ethnobotanical Uses :None
Landscaping Features
Landscaping :Plant produces beautiful clusters of bright red-orange flowers, suitable for pergola and can be trained to climb large trees.
Desirable Plant Features :Ornamental Flowers
Plant & Rootzone Preference/Tolerance : Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils
Landscape Uses :Trellis / Arbour / Pergola, Container Planting
Plant Care & Propagation
Light Preference :Full Sun, Semi-Shade
Water Preference :Lots of Water, Moderate Water
Propagation Method :Stem Cutting
Foliage Retention :Evergreen
Mature Foliage Colour(s) :Green
Mature Foliage Texture(s) :Papery
Prominent Young Flush Colour(s) :Green
Foliar Type :Compound (Trifoliate)
Foliar Arrangement Along Stem :Alternate
Foliar Attachment to Stem :Petiolate
Foliar Shape(s) :Non-Palm Foliage
Foliar Venation :Pinnate / Net
Foliar Margin :Entire
Non-Foliar & StorageStem Type & Modification :Woody
Floral (Angiosperm)
Flower & Plant Sexuality :Bisexual Flowers
Flower Colour:Red
FlowerTexture(s) :Smooth, Waxy
Flower Grouping :Cluster / Inflorescence
Flower Location :Axillary
Flower Symmetry :Bilateral
Individual Flower Shape :Papilionaceous / Pea-shaped
Inflorescence Type :Raceme
Flowering Habit :Polycarpic