Turbina corymbosa Guide

Names

Family

Convolvulaceae (tribe: Ipomoeeae)

Botanical Name

Turbina corymbosa (L.) Raf.

Synonym(s)

Convolvulus corymbosus L. (basionym), Ipomoea burmannii Choisy, Rivea corymbosa (L.) Hallier f.

English Name(s)

Ololiuqui, Snakeplant, Snakevine

Chinese Name(s)

Description

Size & Growth Habit

This is a perrenial climbing vine capable of reaching any size. This plant is an aggressive grower and is able to spread over large areas incredibly fast. This specie does not use tendrils, but wraps around things to climb up. Within a eyar, teh base may be a 3+ cm thick and woody. They tend to have large gnarly stems with age.

Leaves

Leaves are heart shape and very thin to the touch. Leaves are singular with offesest coming from the leaf node. They grow singly, switching sides along the stem.

Flowers

White petals with yellow and dark "brown" down towards the ovary. Classic morning glory style flower shape. Flowers are arranged in groups from the stem tips, usually at every node (leaf). The bud stage often lasts approximatly a month; the flowers a week; 2-3 weeks later the seeds should be ripe.

Flowering Times: Spring and Fall. Here , they tend to flower around November/December and March/April.

Flower Development: From the time buds first appear, it takes around 2 weeks for them to develop and open.

Flower Duration: 2-5 days, and flowers turn brown and fall off.

Flower Pollinators: Ants, bees and butterflies.

Seeds

When the flower dies off, the ovary is left with the stigma sticking out. After approximately 2 weeks from the time the flower dropped, the seed will have developed and will go from green to brown. When fully brown, it is time to pick. The seed is inside the brown oval part of the "pod" and is covered by a now dry papery skin, similar to that of the skin on peanuts, just harder.

Seeds Per Flower: usually 1. 1-4 possible, 4 being quite rare.

Cultivars & Hybrids

We are unaware of any selective breeding with this specie.

Cultivation

By Seed

Very easily germinated in moist conditions. Soaking in water for 12-24 hours may help germination, but we find as long as seeds are moist they will germinate. Planting directly into soil and keeping moist and warm (above 10C) germination takes about 1-2 weeks.

By Cutting

Rivea is not easy to strike cuttings from. We have had low success using semi hardwood cuts placed in soggy soil outdoors under regular growing conditions (full sun, 25C+). Leaves were removed and humidity was above 80% at all times.

Soil

Ololiuqui grows in almost anything. From heavy, semi-clay type soils to loose well drained sandy soils. Alkaline or acidic doesn't seem to matter too much, without going into the extremes. As long as the soil doesnt completely dry out for more than a week they should be fine. A good fertilizing every couple months, if in pots, is required.

Water

If grown in ground, watering is not too strict. Pots should be watered every couple days, depending on size. Ololiuqui can tolerate overwatering, as can many Morning Glories, but cannot take drought well at all. Well established plants in ground will wilt after only a few days of dry soil, potted plants may die within a week if not watered at all. Keep soil a little moist at all times, or follow the golden rule "when the surface dries water again".

Feeding

If planted in the ground, fertilizing is not really needed, although the plants will respond to a good feed. Potted plants should be fed a common house plant fertilizer high in Nitrogen (thats the first number in on the #-#-# rating. N-P-K). we generally just use compost and mix it into the soil and once they outgrow their pots replant into the ground. If this is not possible, just give them a half strength 20-20-20 every month or 2. These plants are aggresive growers so root space and food are important.

Light

Full sun is best, as much light as possible. Seedlings can be started by a window, but can be directly sowed in ground under full sun *IF* care is taken to provide moist AND humid conditions for the first few weeks (humidity tents work well)

Pruning

Does not need pruned. Prune as you see fit, if it gets too big hack it down. It bounces back too fast!

Climate

Ololiuqui prefers warm tropical climates. It can take dry air and hot air. Rivea is sensitive to 2 things: cold and lack of water. If kept moist, and warm, there are few problems with this plant. Secondary problems are not enough root space lack of nutrients and pests.

Other

Turbina corymbosa can stretch to enormous lengths and grow simply huge, as can many Morning Glories. They are in every sense capable of becoming invasive and will take over areas if allowed. For this reason, care should be taken in warmer climates to control plants so they do not spread into the wild. If you get frost/freezing temps in the winter, these plants will die if exposed. They do not take freezing, at all.

Due to thier spreading leafy growth, they aquire very LARGE root systems. Many people complain about poor growth. 90% of the time its cause they are potted. From seed, these plants can FILL a 5 gallon bucket with roots in 2 months. We used to grow ours in bins equalling 90 US gallons, and they were root bound within 6 months. If you truly want to see their full potential, in the ground is the only option.

Other

Distribution

Native to: Antigua, Barbados, Barbuda, Belize, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Martinique, Montserrat, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Puerto Rico, St. Lucia, Venezuela.

Cultivated in: World wide in warmer climates. This can be an invasive plant and capable of spreading rapidly in warm regions. Also grown indoors, or in green houses, in colder climates.

Human Uses

The seeds of this plant were traditionally used by various groups in Mexico as a spritual tool. The seeds of Turbina corymbosa are eaten as a hallucinogen. People around the world today also use teh seeds of this plant as a psychedlic drug.

People also grow these plants as a landscape feature, especially to cover walls/buildings. They grow well on a trellis/rope or similar objects. They can cover an area quite well, and add a real "tropical" feel to the surroundings.

Also see Turbina corymbosa on Entheogen Culture.

Chemicals/Activities

Please note: Some chemicals may not be listed and some may or may not be toxic. Do not consume plants based on this table, it only gives a general idea of *some* of the chemicals this plant contains.

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