Posted by
Reine (Cleveland, Texas - Zone 9a) on May 11, 2015 9:13 PM concerning plant:
Tinospora caffra belongs to the Menispermaceae family and is native to Africa. This plant is widespread and grows in such places as Angola, Rwanda, Uganda, Sudan, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, South Africa and a few other areas in Africa.
Information has been hard to find for T. caffra.
I grow it in a fast-draining soil mix. Mostly full sun with plenty of water in its growing season, which is mid spring until fall for me. I do not let it freeze. It goes dormant over winter and I do not water during this time. I return T. caffra outdoors when there is no more chance of frost and when overnight temperatures are 45°F and higher. New growth begins in mid to late spring.
The caudex is green and unusually shaped with several growth tips where vines emerge, and the leaves are large.