English: Latherleaf; Asian nakedwood; Asian snakewood.
Region: tropical and subtropical Old World, eastern Africa to India, southeast Asia, tropical Australia, and the Pacific Islands.
Habitat: full to partial sun on upland sites.
Culture: invasive species in the United States.
BotanyVine-like, sending out multiple stems, reaching 9 m long.
Leaves: simple, alternate, glossy, ovate and acuminate, ± 10 cm long, with several prominent veins; margins wavy or finely serrated.
Flowers: small, greenish; bloom in clusters in leaf axils.
Fruit: berry-like capsules.
Seeds: small, gray seeds; floating, tolerant to salt water, spreading across oceans.