Petrea volubilis L.

Petrea (Petrea volubilis) is an evergreen climbing plant up to 12 meters long of the Verbenaceae family, originating from Mexico and Central America, nicknamed 'sandpaper vine' because of its rough leaf texture. Its beautiful purple flowers are used by Caribbean communities in traditional medicine, while its stems are used to make children's toys. Petrea is also believed to have properties as a diabetes remedy and aid burn wound healing.

Grows well in highlands and lowlands, natural habitat generally around riverbanks, roadsides, grasslands, and rocky soil. Grows well under full sunlight or slight shade, prefers moist, well-drained soil.

• Stem diameter ranges around 10 cm.
• Leaves egg-shaped to elliptical, leaf surface has a rough texture. Size 6-20x3-10cm.
• Flowers pale blue to violet in color, star-shaped and hanging/arching, 30 cm long
• Fruit oblong shaped, egg-shaped, flanked by a hard calyx.
• Seeds brown in color.

• Propagated generatively (by seed) and vegetatively (air-layering).
• Propagation by air-layering is easier to do and grows faster.
• Air-layered results only need to be moved to a polybag before being planted in the yard.

Sterols, flavonoids, triterpenoids, containing epigenin, quercetin, 4,6 dimethylscutellarien, hypogallic acid (3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid), trans-caffeic acid, vanillic acid, and acteoside.

Diabetes remedy, treats burns. Has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic, antibacterial activity.

• Select fresh petrea leaves. Clean off any attached dirt. Wash and drain.
• Arrange on a tray and dry in the sun covered with a thin dark cloth.
• Once dry, put into a clean, tightly sealed, airtight plastic bag.

Sandpaper vine