The blue-green, turquoise colour of the flowers looks extraordinary. They grow in clusters of sometimes as many as 100 flowers, with the length of a flower cluster reaching 3 metres in the rainforest. The beak-like shape makes them accessible to bats that come to drink the nectar, pollinating the flowers in the process. After pollination, the flowers are followed by oval-shaped fruits containing up to 12 large, angular seeds. 

The jade flower is native to the rainforest in northern Philippines. Unfortunately, due to logging, natural populations have largely disappeared, but in botanical gardens, for example, the plant can be found with some regularity. It is a climbing plant that can grow to a height of 20 metres in the rainforest. The plant likes a sunny location, so a heated conservatory or greenhouse would be ideal. But the species also does quite well as a houseplant, where you can have it climbing along a large window, for example. Provide a nutrient-rich, well-drained soil and water the plant regularly. 

Sowing description: The large seed has a short shelf life and can be sown immediately after receipt in well-drained soil with organic material. Germination at 25-30grC usually after a few weeks.

Family: Fabaceae
Scientific name: Strongylodon macrobotrys
Common name: Jade vine
Native to: Philippines

Sowing time: All year
Difficulty: Intermediate
Minimum temperature: 15 degrees Celsius