Fauna
Flower

Jade Vine

Strongylodon macrobotrys

Also known as Emerald Vine, Turquoise Jade Vine, Tayabak

Jade vine is an exceptional woody liana that climbs high into the rainforest canopy, draping massive pendulous clusters of up to seventy-five luminous aquamarine flowers toward the forest floor. These claw-shaped blooms are specifically adapted for pollination by bats, which hang upside down on the stems to drink rich nectar while dusting their crowns with pollen. Deforestation across its native Philippine home has severely fragmented wild populations, making botanical garden living collections crucial for its continued survival.

RainforestFlowering
Jade Vine reference1 / 7
andrewholle / CC0 · cc0
—observations
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EndangeredConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXEndangeredRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyPhotoautotrophic
ThreatsDeforestation, habitat destruction, agricultural encroachment
HabitatsTropical lowland rainforests, ravines, and stream edges
Life span20 to 50+ years
Classification
  1. OrderFabales
  2. FamilyFabaceae
  3. GenusStrongylodon
  4. SpeciesStrongylodon macrobotrys
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
What to notice
Recognizable by thick woody stems climbing high into trees and pendulous inflorescences bearing iridescent bluish-green claws.
Support conservation
Never collect seeds, cuttings, or flowers from wild specimens; support verified ex situ conservation programs instead.
Responsible observation
  • Flower Viewing: Look for blooms in late spring and early summer when trusses hang freely below the foliage.
  • Conservatory Visits: Check greenhouse trellises where botanical gardens simulate the humid tropical conditions it requires.
  • Fragile Blooms: Refrain from pulling on hanging flower racemes, which easily snap under light tension.
Related species
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