Argyreia nervosa (Burm.F.) Bojer

Stems twining, up to 10 m high, densely whitish or fulvous tomentose, containing a milky viscid juice (WIGHT). Leaves large, ovate to orbicular, 10-30 cm or more by 8-25 cm or more, base deeply cordate, apex obtuse, acute or shortly cuspidate, mucronulate; upper surface glabrous or nearly so, lower surface densely white, greyish or fulvous sericeo-tomentose, shining; midrib and 11-16 nerves on either side prominent beneath, minor nerves many, parallel; petiole shorter than or as long as the blade, tomentose. Flowers in a sub-capitate cyme at the end of a stout peduncle, this up to 20 cm long or longer, tomentose. Pedicels short, angular. Bracts large, ovate to oblong or elliptic, with long and narrow acumen, softly pilose outside, glabrous inside, 3½-5 cm long, caducous. Sepals equal in length or the inner ones slightly shorter, all densely whitish tomentose outside, glabrous inside. Two outer sepals broadly elliptic, obtuse or acutish, up to 15 mm long; three inner ones broadly elliptic to orbicular, obtuse, ca 10-12 mm long. Corolla large, tubular to funnel-shaped, ca 6 cm long, pink-purple; limb shallowly lobed; midpetaline bands and tube with exception of the most basal part densely sericeo-lanate outside. Stamens and style included. Filaments pilose at the base. Ovary glabrous, 4-celled. Fruit globose, apiculate, ca 2 cm diam., yellowish brown, nearly dry.

A tropical plant. It grows in the lowlands and up to 800 m above sea level. It needs moderate moisture and an average, well-drained soil. It can grow in full sun or light shade. It occurs in rainforest in Queensland between 30-300 m altitude. It suits humid locations.

The leaves are eaten as a vegetable. The harvested leaves can be stored for 3-4 days. The leaves are covered in wheat flour, steamed, chopped and then fried. Caution: The seeds are probably poisonous. They have been recorded as being eaten in India. The pods are scraped and boiled and the water changed and used as a vegetable or in chutneys. The ripe fruit are recorded as being eaten raw.

Plants can be grown from seeds or cuttings.