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Plant · P-929
Suma
Hebanthe erianthos
Suma, also called Brazilian ginseng, is a fast-growing, rambling ground vine of Amazonian tropical forest, grown almost entirely for its deep, extensive root system, harvested and dried as an adaptogenic tonic root long used across its native range for fatigue, low immunity and general vitality. It needs full sun and tolerates a wide range of soil textures from light sand to heavy clay, including nutritionally poor ground, so long as it is well-drained. Its root contains saponins that are the subject of ongoing pharmacological study for anti-inflammatory and antitumor activity, alongside a broad profile of amino acids, minerals and vitamins.
Record at a glance
Growing profile
- Sun
- Full Sun
- USDA zone
- USDA 10–12
- Soil
- Sand · Loam · Clay
- Moisture
- Dry · Well-Drained · Moist
Vertical layer
Groundcover- Soil pH
- 4.7
- Plant type
- Perennial
- Mature height
- 3.3 ft
- Mature spread
- 8 in
- Plant spacing
- 3.3–6.6 ft
- Root type
- Tap
- Spread pattern
- Seed
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The deeper layer
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- Primary
- Locked ecological function
- Secondary
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- Byproduct
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Behind the record
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