Mikania cordifolia (Heartleaf Climbing Hempweed, Guaco)

Description

Very rare native medium size (20′) herbaceaous perennial vine is covered by 1-2′ long fragrant paniculate inflorescences in the fall. It is pollinated by butterflies, native bees and wasps. Mikania sps. are the sole larval hosts of the Scarlet Bodied Wasp Moth. Birds feed on the seeds. Native from SC., GA, FL, AL, MS, LA, TX. Its range extends southward to Brazil. It is used medicinally in Brazil, Suriname, and French Guinana. Laboratory experiments have confirmed the presence of numerous medicinal compounds in the plant. I, Daniel Payne, was the first person to document this species in SC. I propagated the plants in the nursery from native populations in Beaufort Co. SC. Plant in sun or part shade in average to moist soil. It normally occurs in high calcium soil in the wild.