How to Grow and Care for Tetracera

The sandpaper vine is a perennial vine of tropical and temperate Asia. It has many local uses – its harsh leaves are used as sandpaper for polishing metal and wood. They are also used for cleaning plates and other dishes. The stems, when heated and twisted, are used as a very durable binding or rough cordage.

Sandpaper vine is a tropical climbing shrub characterized by its woody vines and elongated leaves, which are fitted with two distinctive glands at the base. It blooms with small, yellow, fragrant flowers that develop into oblong, winged fruits. Thriving in moist forest environments, sandpaper vine's robust climbing habit allows it to reach sunlight by ascending the forest canopy, underscoring its adaptive growth strategy in dense vegetation.