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Climbing hempweed

Mikania micrantha

Family: Asteraceae Genus: Mikania Species: micrantha

Synonyms: Mikania variabilis, Eupatorium orinocense, Mikania micrantha var. cynanchifolia, Mikania micrantha f. hirsuta, Mikania micrantha f. typica, Willoughbya scandens var. orinocensis, Mikania subcymosa, Mikania sinuata, Mikania umbellifera, Mikania denticulata, Mikania glechomifolia, Willoughbya heterophylla, Mikania subcrenata, Eupatorium denticulatum, Mikania cordata var. indica, Willoughbya variabilis, Willoughbya micrantha, Mikania scandens var. subcymosa, Mikania deltoides, Mikania scandens var. villosa, Mikania scandens var. umbellifera, Mikania tamoides, Mikania scandens var. hirsuta, Mikania orinocensis, Eupatorium orinocense var. batatifolium, Eupatorium orinocense var. tamoides

Climbing hempweed (en)
Mikania micrantha — flower
Mikania micrantha — flower

Western Herbalism Properties

Actions:
anti-inflammatoryantimicrobialvulnerary

Botanical Description

Mikania micrantha, the climbing hempweed or bittervine, is a vigorous perennial herbaceous vine of the family Asteraceae native to tropical Central and South America. Its slender, ribbed, twining stems can reach 6 m or more in a single season, climbing through and smothering surrounding vegetation, and root readily at the nodes. The opposite leaves are heart-shaped to triangular-ovate, 4-13 cm long, with pointed tips, toothed or wavy margins, and long petioles. From late wet season into the dry season the plant produces a profusion of small white to greenish-white flower heads, each only 4-6 mm long with just four tubular florets, gathered in dense terminal corymbs. The minute, dark, plumed achenes are wind-dispersed in vast numbers, and the species has become a serious invasive weed throughout tropical Asia, the Pacific, and parts of Africa.

Native Region: Argentina Northeast, Argentina Northwest, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil North, Brazil Northeast, Brazil South, Brazil Southeast, Brazil West-Central, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Florida, French Guiana, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Leeward Is., Mexico Central, Mexico Gulf, Mexico Northeast, Mexico Northwest, Mexico Southeast, Mexico Southwest, Nicaragua, Panamá, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Suriname, Trinidad-Tobago, Uruguay, Venezuela, Windward Is.

Cultural & Historical Context

Traditional American Uses

None Documented

Chemistry & External Identifiers

Trefle ID
14259

Important Disclaimer

This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.

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