Elephant creeper (Argyreia nervosa)

Elephant creeper, Argyreia nervosa, is a huge morning-glory vine with big heart-shaped leaves that are silvery-white beneath and purple-pink trumpet flowers. Its root is the vriddhadaru of Ayurveda. Its seeds contain LSA, a hallucinogenic compound related to LSD, and they are sold online as Hawaiian baby woodrose. Eating them is dangerous.

Botanical name: Argyreia nervosa (Burm.f.) Bojer
Family: Convolvulaceae
Tamil: Samudrapalai
Hindi: Vidhara
Parts used: None as food
Habit: Silver-backed morning-glory; kalmi is I. aquatica
Last updated: 2026-10-25

How to recognise Elephant creeper

It is a woody climber that can cover large trees. The leaves are large, heart-shaped, green above and covered in silky silver hairs beneath.

Flowers are funnel-shaped, rose-purple inside and pale outside, emerging from silvery, hairy bracts.

The fruit is a round, dry berry held in a cup of persistent sepals, which looks like a small wooden rose when dry. It contains a few hard brown seeds.

Water spinach, kalmi, Ipomoea aquatica, is a soft aquatic morning-glory eaten as a vegetable. It looks nothing like this woody vine.

Traditional use of Elephant creeper

Ayurveda

Vriddhadaru root is used in rejuvenating and joint formulations. Those formulations use the root, not the seeds.

Ayurvedic materia medica

Gardening

It is grown as an ornamental climber, and the dried fruit is used in flower arrangements.

Tropical gardening

Modern notes on Elephant creeper

The seeds contain ergine (LSA) and other ergot alkaloids. Reports describe severe nausea, vomiting, constricted blood vessels, psychosis and at least one death linked to their use.

Studies on the root are mostly laboratory and animal work.

Elephant creeper safety

Do not eat the seeds. Keep them away from children. Anyone who has swallowed them and feels unwell should get emergency care.

Ecology and sourcing

It is native to the Indian subcontinent and has been introduced to many tropical regions as an ornamental.

In Hawaii, parts of Africa and Australia it has become invasive, smothering native trees.

Related plants

Also in Convolvulaceae

Questions about Elephant creeper

What older names does Argyreia nervosa go by?

Argyreia speciosa.

Are the seeds of Elephant creeper safe?

No. They contain hallucinogenic and toxic alkaloids.

Is Elephant creeper kalmi?

No. Kalmi is Ipomoea aquatica, a soft edible water vine.

Sources

Educational page about a plant. It is not medical advice, not a diagnosis, and not an offer to sell. Traditional use is historical. If you need care, ask a licensed clinician. Questions: hello@meevamed.com.