Argyreia Nervosa, Elephant Creeper, Vidhara - 0.5 kg Seeds

Elephant creeper or vidhara (Argyreia nervosa), known as Hawaiian baby woodrose or samudra-shosha, is a large, vigorous perennial woody climber rather than a tree, with twining stems and very large, heart-shaped leaves that are velvety silvery-white underneath. It bears showy funnel-shaped rose-purple flowers followed by woody, rose-like brown seed capsules. Native to the Indian subcontinent, it is found wild and cultivated across the warm plains and lower hills, scrambling over fences, trees and hedges.

It is an important Ayurvedic medicinal plant, where the roots (vidhara) are used as a rejuvenative, nervine and aphrodisiac tonic. It is also grown as a fast ornamental climber for arbours, pergolas and large fences because of its bold foliage and handsome flowers, and the dried woody seed pods are popular in floral and decorative craft.

• Family: Convolvulaceae
• Native region: Indian subcontinent
• Mature height: 5-10 m (climbing)
• Growth rate: Fast

Sowing the seed: the seeds have a very hard coat, so scarify them by nicking or rubbing with sandpaper and then soak in water for 24 hours (or pour hot water over them and let cool) before sowing. Sow about 1-2 cm deep in well-drained nursery soil or polybags kept warm; germination is usually 14-21 days once dormancy is broken. Transplant the seedlings to a sturdy support at the onset of the monsoon.