Hodgsonia macrocarpa Seeds | Large-fruited Hodgson’s Vine
LATIN NAME: Hodgsonia macrocarpa
COMMON NAME: Large-Fruited Hodgson’s Vine
Plant Profile
Known to gardeners as Large-Fruited Hodgson’s Vine, Hodgsonia macrocarpa is a handsome, vigorous, climbing, perennial in the gourd family, native to warm forests of the eastern himalaya and surrounding regions, while it is treasured for its fine, large fruits. In gourd family it is great, fragrant-flowered vine of the eastern Himalaya, a climber whose large, lobed leaves and woody fruits mark it out in warm forest. At maturity it stands about Twenty metres. These traits together are what have kept the plant in gardens for so long.
Science & Biotechnology
Botanists studying the gourd family regularly include Hodgsonia macrocarpa in comparative work, and the species also appears in horticultural trials aimed at gardeners and growers. The large-fruited Hodgson’s vine appears in vine papers of the eastern Himalaya, and botanists have mapped its place in gourd family and regional flora. The upshot for anyone sowing it is reassurance — cultivated stock of this plant has a long, well-documented track record.
Uses & Benefits
Gardeners value Large-Fruited Hodgson’s Vine for its ornamental character, and the plant also fits naturally into herb, vegetable and cutting gardens. In warm garden, the large-fruited Hodgson’s vine is fragrant climber of the pergola. Its white flowers feed moths, its large, woody fruits feed forest creatures, and big, lobed leaves give a dense, leafy cover. Large, flat, oily seeds have served fine cooking and oil of region, and vine grows well in rich, moist, well-drained ground of warm, sheltered spot. Establishment is uncomplicated, and afterwards ordinary care suffices.
Hodgsonia bears huge oily seeds eaten roasted in the eastern Himalaya and pressed for cooking oil; it is a rare ethnobotanical climber.
Growing from Seed
Sow fresh seed of Large-Fruited Hodgson’s Vine under ordinary good conditions. Sow the seeds evenly over the surface and cover lightly in a loose, well-drained seed compost, keep the sowing evenly moist, and give the pot or tray bright light. Prick the seedlings out once they are large enough to handle, grow them on in bright light, and plant out when conditions allow.
Our Take
It is a solid representative of the Hodgsonia group, true to type from seed. Fresh seed sown into evenly moist compost is most of the battle won.
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