Yanang (bamboo grass vine) Tiliacora triandra
Yanang (bamboo grass vine) (Tiliacora triandra) is an evergreen perennial vegetable in the Menispermaceae family, native to Mainland Southeast Asia (Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam). It grows 3–10 m (10–33 ft) tall and 1–3 m (3.3–10 ft) wide, wants part sun to part shade and moderate water, and is hardy to about 5 °C (41 °F). Space plants about 1 m (3.3 ft) apart.
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Yanang (bamboo grass vine) at a glance
| Type | Perennial vegetable, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Menispermaceae |
| Mature height | 3–10 m (10–33 ft) |
| Mature spread | 1–3 m (3.3–10 ft) |
| Spacing | 1 m (3.3 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 4 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5.5–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About 5 °C (41 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 11) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 40 °C (104 °F) |
| Flowering | about 104–156 weeks after planting, for 4–9 weeks |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Low |
| Edible | Yes: leaves (crushed and strained into a green juice for bamboo-shoot soup, kaeng no mai) |
| Native to | Mainland Southeast Asia (Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇻🇳 Vietnam |
Is Yanang (bamboo grass vine) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
A common food leaf; no toxicity reported in normal kitchen use.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Yanang (bamboo grass vine)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and moderate water.
Questions about Yanang (bamboo grass vine)
- How far apart should I plant Yanang (bamboo grass vine)?
- About 1 m (3.3 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 1–3 m (3.3–10 ft).
- Does Yanang (bamboo grass vine) need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 4 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Yanang (bamboo grass vine) need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Yanang (bamboo grass vine)?
- It tolerates about 5 °C (41 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 11.
- When does Yanang (bamboo grass vine) flower?
- About 104–156 weeks after planting, for 4–9 weeks.
- Is Yanang (bamboo grass vine) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. A common food leaf; no toxicity reported in normal kitchen use.
- What grows well with Yanang (bamboo grass vine)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Yanang (bamboo grass vine). Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- Thai Plant Names (Tem Smitinand), revised edition, Forest Herbarium, Royal Forest Department, Bangkok
- PROSEA: Plant Resources of South-East Asia, PROSEA Foundation, Bogor
Notes and assumptions
- Tropical: needs warm nights all year; in a frosty climate grow it under glass or as a summer container plant.
- A woody climber that is kept low by constant picking; a staple of Lao and north-east Thai home gardens. Frozen yanang extract is sold abroad.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
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