Argyreia nervosa - Convovulaceae

Argyreia Genus

Almost 100 species of rank-growing, tropical climbers make up this tropical Asian to Polanesian genus, closely allied to the morning glory genus Ipomoea. Their stems are twining, often becoming thick and woody with age, and the leaves are broad but unlobed. The flowers, carried in stalked clusters at the leaf axils, vary greatly in size, shape and color, while the fruit are red, purplish or yellow berries, not capsules as in Ipomoea, though they may have a leathery skin or even be quite woody. At least one species is popular for its decorative dried fruit, traded as ‘wood rose’ (or ‘baby wood rose’) on account of the overlapping, woody sepals that persist around the base of the fruit, giving them a shape reminiscent of double roses.

According to Queensland Vascular Plants, Names and Distribution (Qld Herbarium, 1993), there are two species regarded as indigenous to northern Qld. A. nervosa and A. queenslandica, and one species regarded as now extinct, A. soutteri.

A. nervosa is perhaps the most widely distributed species, and most common species found in cultivation.

Argyreia nervosa

Baby Woodrose, Hawaiian Baby Woodrose

A native of eastern India and Bangladesh, this vigorous twiner will grow 30 ft (9 m) or more into the treetops, but can be trained over a post or stump and kept trimmed to a moundlike form. A dense white down covers both young stems and leaf undersides. The leaves are heart-shaped and up to 10 in (25 cm) wide, with lateral veins conspicuous on the undersides. Tight clusters of trumpet-shaped bright pink flowers about 2 in (5 cm) across appear among the foliage in spring and summer.

Cultivation: In a tropical climate cultivation is simple, the plants making very vigorous growth in a sunny position in moist soil. In cooler climates they can be grown in a sunny conservatory, but due to their rampant growth will need frequent cutting back. Propagate from seed or cuttings.