Jade Vine Strongylodon macrobotrys

The Jade Vine (Strongylodon macrobotrys) is a tropical vine,
native to the rainforests of the Philippines.
Through the destruction of the rainforests this plant species
is threatened in the wild. The bright turquoise colored flowers
look artificial and unreal. A few years ago, we found flowers
on the floor in our tropical garden and thought somebody was littering
plastic flowers in our garden, until we discovered this strange looking plant in the trees.
The jade vine (Strongylodon macrobotrys) can reach a length up to about 18 meters
and the impressive inflorescences can get a length up to 3 meters.
In the wild, the jade vine is pollinated by bats.

© Orchids Flowers.com
Image: Jade Vine (Strongylodon macrobotrys), inflorescence
Photographer: Kitisak “Nat” Jaidee

© Orchids Flowers.com
Image: Jade Vine (Strongylodon macrobotrys), flower buds
Photographer: Kitisak “Nat” Jaidee