2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Gynostemma (lat. Gynostemma) - a genus of herbaceous climbing plants of the Pumpkin family. The genus includes more than 30 species, of which 9 species are endemic (plants that live in a limited range). Gynastemma grows in New Guinea, Malaysia, Japan, Southeast Asia. Typical places are thickets of bushes, forests, roadsides, lowlands and mountain slopes.
Characteristics of culture
Gynostemma is a perennial climbing plant with bare or pubescent stems. Leaves are simple ovate-lanceolate or cinched, divided into 3-9 lobes, arranged alternately. Flowers are small, unisexual, collected in axillary, paniculate or racemose inflorescences. Corolla white or green, with five deeply dissected narrow-lanceolate lobes. Fruits are berry-shaped, roundish, black. The seeds are equipped with a spiny papilla.
Gynostemma pentaphyllum (lat. Gynostemma pentaphyllum) is a popular species of the genus, represented by evergreen semi-freshened or herbaceous vines. Shoots are rarely pubescent or bare, climbing, furrowed. Leaves are opposite, palmate-compound. Leaves are glossy with shine, lanceolate, dentate along the edge. The flowers are small, of little interest, pale green or white, collected in axillary paniculate inflorescences. Fruits are globular, black.
Growing features
Most of the gynostemma species are unisexual plants, and both male and female specimens must be grown on the site to set seeds. Male flowers are collected in longer panicles than female flowers, and they can only be distinguished during flowering.
In regions with a temperate climate, seeds are sown in a greenhouse or in seedling containers, in hot countries - in open ground. Before sowing, the seeds are soaked in warm water for 24 hours, after which they are sown to a depth of 1.5-2 cm. As the seedlings grow, it is necessary to provide support. In addition to the seed method, propagation by cuttings is common among gardeners, which easily take root in the nutrient soil.
Soils for gynostemma are preferably drained, fertile, light, moderately moist, without compaction. The crop site must be protected from cold winds. The location is slightly shaded or sunny. In a dense shade, gynostemma develops very slowly and practically does not bloom, it often dies. Plant care consists of regular watering, spraying in the evening, fertilizing with mineral fertilizers and mulching the stem zone.
Application
Gynostemma is widely used in garden design. Its climbing shoots can decorate gazebos, walls of houses and outbuildings, fences, etc. At home, the plant is called "the herb of immortality", this is due to the fact that it has anti-aging and healing properties. Teas and various infusions are prepared from the leaves of gynostemma, which are a kind of energy drink that strengthens the immune system. Gynostemma contains a large amount of nutrients that are easily absorbed by the body.
Leaves and young shoots of the plant are used in the preparation of salads. It is believed that the systematic use of leaf infusions suppresses the development of tumors of various types, regulates blood pressure, and increases the body's resistance to diseases and viruses. Gynostemma teas are especially useful for athletes and people whose work is associated with heavy physical exertion. Culture has a positive effect on the gastrointestinal tract, nervous and cardiovascular system. Gynostemma is effective in diabetes mellitus and group B hepatitis.
