Stephania SUBEROSA

Stephania SUBEROSA - Stephania suberosa, Corky stephania.

Stephania is a genus of perennial herbaceous or woody vines up to 4 m (13.1 ft) long in the Menispermaceae family (moonseed family). The genus comprises more than 40 species accepted by the scientific community, along with approximately as many recognized as synonyms. In their natural habitat, representatives of the genus are distributed across South, East, and Southeast Asia, as well as Australia.

From the top of a brownish-gray fleshy caudex root grows a vine-like stem, typically becoming woody over time. Attractive green heart-shaped leaves grow in a spiral arrangement.

When the plant's stems reach a length of approximately 1.5 m (4.9 ft), the first flowering is observed with small unisexual flowers gathered in axillary umbel-like inflorescences. Flowering occurs from March to May.

In March-June, drupe fruits mature, turning pink upon ripening, containing obovate dark-brown seeds.

Stephania suberosa is a dioecious caudiciform succulent with a massive aboveground succulent tuber featuring cracked corky bark, reaching a weight of over 50 kg (110 lbs) and living up to 100 or more years. Mature perennial stems become woody and covered with corky bark; young ones are slender and glabrous. The annual twining stem (vine) grows up to 4 m (13.1 ft) or more. The leaves are broadly ovate, up to 15 cm (5.9 in) long and up to 15 cm (5.9 in) wide, minutely papillose, with a truncate-cordate base and an obtuse apex. The petiole is up to 20 cm (7.9 in) long. The small flowers are greenish-yellow.

Seeds are pre-soaked in warm water for 8 hours, then sown into a loose substrate to a depth of 0.3-0.5 cm (0.1-0.2 in), moistened from a spray bottle, covered with film, and germinated in light, but not in direct sun at a temperature of 20-25 °C (68-77 °F). Seedlings need ventilation. It is necessary to avoid waterlogging and drying out of the sowings.

Germination timelines. Usually: 3-6 weeks. Sometimes: 8-12 weeks. Maximum: rare "slowpokes" up to 4-6 months.

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Most Stephania species are completely undemanding in care. A shaded bright and warm location and very moderate watering are preferred. The plant is capable of growing for a very long time using its own reserves accumulated in the caudex.

When grown indoors, most representatives of the genus can remain evergreen. Under dry and cool conditions, they may shed leaves during the cold period, during which watering should be limited as much as possible. The keeping temperature should not drop below 5 °C (41 °F).

Initially, a tuber without a stem does not even need to be buried in the soil. After sprouts appear, the caudex should be buried by one third. First, a rapidly growing stem with leaf primordia appears, climbing along any support, after which the leaves themselves develop.