Photo taken by the writer shows the Rangon Creeper, which is native to the Asian tropics. IT is not difficult to be attracted to the ‘Rangoon Creeper’ (Combretum indicum (L.) DeFilipps), with its multi-coloured small flowers dotting all over a small shrub.
Also known as the ‘Drunken Sailor’, ‘Akar Dani’, ‘Akar Suloh’, ‘Akar Pontianak’ and ‘Red Jasmine’, this species ‘creeps’ over the fence and produces large sprays of blooms, which are sometimes in red, and sometimes, in violet. Native to the Asian tropics, this plant has versatile growth habits. It is also hardy in nature, able to climb up to a height of 8m.
The most distinguishing feature of the Rangoon Creeper is its exquisite flowers – initially sprouting out as white tubes, but eventually and transforming into pink, before turning into the recognisable crimson hue as the plant matures. Its colour transformation is visually appealing, but more importantly, it attracts a variety of pollinators such as bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. This plant has garnered admiration from landscapers, gardeners and even botanists, in view of this wonderful feature.
Combretum indicum belongs to the Combretaceae family. It is a vigorously-growing vine that is difficult to eliminate once it has been established on the ground, as the roots would have spread and produced many plantlets. Based on my own experience growing this ‘naughty’ plant, it is much-advised to plant it outside the fence so as to better manage its root-and vine-spreading characteristic.
The Rangoon Creeper is a great ornamental plant. Not only the flowers have vibrant colours, they are fragrant too, with the lingering scent adding freshness to one’s garden. The Rangoon Creeper is a great ornamental plant, and the flowers are edible too.
As I have mentioned earlier, the colour together with the smell attract various pollinators, which adds great value to the ecosystem. The plant also has potential medicinal properties, as based on studies, it is found that there are various metabolic compounds in it. I bet you would be surprised to be told that the flowers of the Rangon Creeper are edible as well – the colour, aroma and delicate flavour really do add depth and brightness to salads, fresh deserts and also to drinks.
Again, as I have mentioned earlier, this plant’s growth is vigorous and the roots can quickly spread around. However, pot-planting is possible, now with the availability of the hybrid dwarf variety. I recently saw a few displayed by some sellers at the Kota Sentosa Market near Kuching.
The dwarf variant, indeed, occupies less space and thus, it is good for pot-growing. To prepare for planting, look for the healthiest-looking branch – optimally, one with several leaf nodes. From there, take a stem-cutting, about three inches long.
The cutting must be hard and woody for good propagation. Dip the ends in rooting hormone solution, and leave to dry before inserting them in a potting mix. For the potting mix, the most viable ratio would be 60 per cent natural soil, 30 per cent organic compost, and 10 per cent cocopeat mixture.
Water it, and store in a cool under-the-shade place. This said, exposing it to sunlight, at least for six hours, is necessary in the early stage of growth. Within three weeks, new leaves would emerge.
Leave to grow a bit bigger before relocating it to a larger pot, or for field planting. Always water the plant, but gently. Any fertiliser with less nitrogen content should encourage flowering.
Use NPK pallets once in two months for growing – add more when it reaches the flowering stage. Happy Gardening!.
