Skunkvine facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Skunkvine |
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Paederia
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P. foetida
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Paederia foetida is a type of plant often called skunkvine, stinkvine, or Chinese fever vine. It gets these names because of its strong smell. This plant originally comes from warm and tropical parts of Asia.
Over time, it has started growing naturally in other places too. You can now find it in the Mascarene Islands, Melanesia, Polynesia, and the Hawaiian Islands. Recent studies also show it growing in North America.
Contents
Why Does Skunkvine Smell?
The skunkvine is famous for its very strong, sulfur-like smell. This smell appears when you crush or bruise its leaves or stems.
The odor comes from a special oil found mainly in the leaves. This oil contains sulfur compounds, especially one called dimethyl disulphide. These compounds are what give the plant its unique, strong scent.
Where Skunkvine Grows
Paederia foetida is native to many countries in Asia. It grows in Bangladesh, southern Bhutan, and Cambodia. You can also find it across China, including Hong Kong and Macau.
It is common in India, Indonesia, and Japan. It also grows in Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Nepal. Other places where it naturally grows include the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam.
How People Use Skunkvine
Sometimes, people plant skunkvine because it looks nice. This means it can be an ornamental plant. It is also used in folk medicine for different health purposes.
In some parts of North Eastern and Eastern India, skunkvine is used in cooking. People use it as a spice to add flavor to their traditional dishes. In Hainan cuisine, which is from a Chinese island, the leaves are ground into a powder. This powder is then mixed with rice to make noodles for a sweet soup.
Animals That Eat Skunkvine
Several types of caterpillars like to feed on Paederia foetida. These caterpillars grow into large moths called hawkmoths.
Some of the hawkmoth species whose caterpillars eat skunkvine include Neogurelca hyas, Macroglossum corythus, M. pyrrhosticta, and M. sitiene.
See also
In Spanish: Paederia foetida para niños
