Tripterygium regelii Seeds | Thunder God Vine
LATIN NAME: Tripterygium regelii
COMMON NAME: Thunder God Vine
Plant Profile
Known to gardeners as Thunder God Vine, Tripterygium regelii is a vine in the staff-tree family. Thunder god vine scrolls twining stems up tall supports, toothed leaves and small, white flowers along way, and the whole plant carries the fine, dense look of the shaded woodland edge. It is a plant of shaded, deep, rich, moist, well-drained ground. Pollinating insects take to the flowers at once, adding a little wildlife interest to its garden value. Together these qualities explain its long-standing appeal to gardeners.
Science & Biotechnology
Seed science, comparative botany and horticultural selection all touch on Tripterygium regelii, a representative of the staff-tree family with clear practical value. With present-day seed handling, raising this species well within the reach of any careful grower.
Uses & Benefits
In the garden, Thunder God Vine earns its place in borders, containers and mixed plantings, and it also rewards growers who raise plants for cutting, drying or kitchen use. Thunder god vine is a dense, useful plant of shaded woodland edge and study collection. It is a dense, useful plant of shaded, deep, rich, moist, well-drained garden. Thunder god vine seeds like a leafy, gritty mix in a shaded, cool place with steady moisture. Given the right start, it carries on with minimal intervention.
Thunder god vine is a powerful Chinese medicinal vine whose triptolide is a major research compound for autoimmune disease; it is also seriously toxic, a professional-only herb of the strictest kind.
Growing from Seed
Sow fresh seed of Thunder God 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. Move strong seedlings into individual pots, keep them in good light, and set them out when the weather and their size agree.
Our Take
Thunder God Vine repays a little patience at sowing time with plenty of garden presence later.
Related Reading
Readers interested in Thunder God Vine frequently explore these as well: