Anredera Juss. Gen.pl.:84(1789) Basellaceae X=unknown;A.

cordifolia:2n=24 Origin and geographic distribution Anredera consists of approximately 10 species,and originates from the warmer parts of America.A.Scandens was introduced as an ornamental in the Philippines already at the beginning of the 19th century. Uses in the Philippines,the tuberous roots of A.scandens are used topically to hasten the ripening of boils. They are applied traditionally in Mexico for the treatment of broken bones and flesh wounds. Chopped leaves of A.cordofolia in boiling water are used in folk medicine in Colombia and Taiwan to treat diabetes and as analgesic. In Laos,the entire plant is applied in cases of arthritis,diarrhea and to wounds. Properties Triterpenoid saponins such as boussingoside A1 are responsible for the hypoglycaemic activity of A.cordofolia extracts,as has been demonstrated in experiments with rats and mice with induced diabetes. In addition to several bousssingosides,other triterpenes including larreagenin A, oleanolic derivates and ursolic acid have been isolated. Significant wound healing and anti-inflammatory properties have been found in Anredera species used as a medicinal plant in tropical America; extracts had no effect on cell proliferation and did not exhibit mutagenic activity. Ethanolic extracts of A.cordofolia showed inhibitory effects on spasmogen-induced contractions of isolated gastric fundus preparations of rats. An aqueous extract of dried A. cordofolia buds showed antihepatotoxic activity in rats at a dose of 30 mg/kg. A retrochalcone was isolated from A. scandens roots. Botany Branched perennial climbing herbs with annual or short-lived shoots arising from a fleshy rhizome or tuberous roots;shoots up to 6m long. Leaves alternate,simple and entire,slightly fleshly,sessile or shortly petiolate; stipules

absent. Inflorescence an axillary raceme or spike,simple or branched. Flowers bisexual,sometimes functionally unisexual,regular,sweet-scented;pedicel articulate,with 2 pairs of bracteoles,at the apex,lower pair small,connate,forming a cuplet,or free and caduceus,ipper pair tepaloid,convex or boatshaped,often keeled or even winged on the back; perianth consisting of 5 segments connate at base,patent and thin in anthesis,later thickening and enclosing the fruit;stamens 5,inserted on the tepals;ovary superior,1-celled,style splitting to various degrees into 3 arms,each with an oblong to club-shaped papillose stigma. Fruit a globose utricle enclosed by the perianth,indehiscent,1-seeded. Seed lens-shaped,with semi-circular to horseshoe-shaped embryo. Anredera does not produce seeds in Malesia. It can be confused with Bassela,the only other genus of Basellaceae occurring in Malesia.which differs in its very fleshy perianth enclosing the fruit. B.alba L.,which is primarily a popular vegetable,is also used in traditional medicine. Ecology A.scandens apparently neds a dry season for its development and grows badly in perhumid climates. Management Anredera can be propagated vegetatively by small tubercles found in the axils of the leaves. Leaf spots caused by Alternaria alternata have been observed on cultivated A.cordofolia. Genetic resources Both Anredera species treated here are widely cultivated throughout the world,but they are only locally present in Malesia as a result of a few introductions. The genetic diversity is therefore likely to be limited,the more so since they do not produce seeds in this region and are only vegetatively propagated. Prospects The hypoglycaemic and anti-inflammatory activities of Anredera extracts deserve more attention. Literature 233,247,567.

Selection of species Anredera cordofolia (Ten.) v. Steenis Fl. Males.,ser.1,5(3):303(1957). Synonims Boussingaultia cordofolia Ten. (1853), Boussingaultia gracilis Miers (1864), Boussingaultia baselloides auct. Non Humb.,Bonpl. & Kunth. Vernacular names Madeira vine,mignonette vine (Am). Vietnam: m[uf]ng t[ow]I c[ur]. Distribution Native to tropical South America, introduced in many tropical countries,e.g in Vietnam and Java. Uses Chopped leaves in boiling water are used in folk medicine in Colombia and Taiwan to treat diabetes and as an analgesic. Observations A perennial climber with thick rhizome and short lived shoots up to 6m long;leaves ovate to subcordate, 1-11 cm x 1-8 cm; flowers with lower bracteoles connate and forming a cuplet,upper bracteoles flattened,not keeled,perianth white,patent in anthesis. A.cordofolia is planted as an ornamental in the lowlands of Java. Selected sources 233,247,556,561,567. Anredera scandens (L.) Moq. DC., Prodr. 13(2) ; 230 (1849). Vernacular names Philippines: malabato,olibato (Tagalog). Distribution Native to tropical America,introduced and naturalized in the Philippines. Uses in the Philippines,the tuberous roots are applied topically to hasten ripening of boils. They are used traditionally in Mexico for the treatment of broken bones and flesh wounds.

Observations A perennial climber with large tuberous roots and short-lived shoots up to 5 m long; leaves ovate to ovate-oblong, 1.5-8.5 cm x 1-6 cm; flowers with lower bracteoles free,cadocous, upper bracteoles boat-shaped,broadly winged on the back,perianth greenish-white,little opening in anthesis. A. scandens is planted as an ornamental and naturalized in the lowlands of the Philippines. Selected sources 126,247,760. R.H.M.J. Lemmens