Anredera cordifolia aka Maderia Vine

Anredera cordifolia is a fleshy vine that lives for years. It belongs to the Basellaceae family. Names include Madeira vine and mignonette vine. It comes from South America. Its range includes Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Argentina. Kew puts its range in tropical South America. This extends into northern Argentina. It grows in tropical climates with a dry season. It has escaped gardens in many warm regions. These lie outside its native range.

This vine grows fast and climbs by winding around supports. Its red-green stems twist counterclockwise. They have no tendrils to grip supports. Fleshy rhizomes, or underground stems, grow below ground. Tubers also form on the stems above ground. Fleshy leaves add weight as the vine climbs. Useful Tropical Plants gives stem lengths of 30 feet [9 metres]. Missouri Botanical Garden lists heights of 100 feet [30.48 metres]. It also notes extreme growth to 120 feet [36.6 metres]. Spread can reach 20 feet [6.1 metres]. Growth each year may reach 10–20 feet [3–6 metres].

Small, cream-white flowers grow in showy sprays. They bloom in September and October and have a scent. Useful Tropical Plants says seeds seldom form, if at all. Tubers give the vine a very effective way to spread. Gardeners grow it on trellises, fences, and walls. Its dense growth can serve as a screen. But this growth can smother plants nearby. Heavy stems, leaves, and tubers can break branches. Their weight can also bring down trees.

Grow it in soil rich in humus that drains well. It accepts full sun or part shade. It needs a moderate amount of water. Plants can cope with drought once they take root. It keeps its leaves in warm sites without frost. USDA zones 9–11 suit outdoor growth all year. Hard frost kills the stems. Roots can sprout again if they do not freeze. Winter mulch may help roots survive north to zone 7. In colder places, gardeners can lift the tubers. They can store them through winter where frost cannot reach them.

In warm climates, invasive growth is its main garden problem. Fast growth and spreading tubers make control hard. Other serious pest and disease problems are uncommon. Under glass, aphids and spider mites may attack it. Sources report cooked leaves and roots as food. Baking makes the root less slimy. PFAF notes few published reports that support eating the roots. It lists no known hazards. This does not prove complete safety. PFAF also reports research on effects that reduce inflammation. It reports research on anti-ulcer effects and liver protection too.