- Stem & Bark: Giloy is a vigorous perennial climbing vine with thick, succulent stems. Young stems are green and fleshy, while older stems develop a greyish-brown, corky surface with characteristic wart-like projections and lenticels. Aerial roots may emerge from mature branches.
- Foliage: Leaves are simple, alternate, broadly ovate to heart-shaped, typically measuring about 5–15 cm across. The deeply cordate leaf base and long petiole are among the most recognizable features of the plant.
- Aerial Roots: Mature Giloy vines commonly produce long, slender aerial roots from their branches. These roots can help the plant establish contact with supporting surfaces and are a distinctive feature when identifying older vines.
- Flowers: The flowers are small and generally greenish-yellow. They occur in clusters along the branches. Giloy is dioecious, meaning male and female flowers are generally produced on separate plants.
- Fruit: Giloy produces small, smooth, ovoid drupes that develop from the female flowers. The fruits become orange to bright red as they mature and typically contain a single seed.
Perennial Climbing Vine / Medicinal Liana
Giloy (गिलोय)
Tinospora cordifolia
Also Known as: गिलोय, गुडूची (Guduchi), अमृता (Amrita), गिलोय लता
Tinospora cordifolia, commonly known as Giloy, Guduchi, or Amrita, is a perennial climbing vine belonging to the Menispermaceae family. Native to the Indian Subcontinent and widely found in tropical and subtropical regions, it is recognized by its thick succulent stems, heart-shaped leaves, aerial roots, and small greenish-yellow flowers. Giloy is valued as a hardy medicinal and climbing plant and can be grown in gardens or large containers with suitable support. It has a long history in Ayurveda and traditional Indian ethnobotany, where its stem and other plant parts have been used in traditional herbal preparations. Learn about Giloy's botanical identification, growing conditions, propagation from stem cuttings, plant care, traditional uses, and ecological characteristics.
Botanical Family
Menispermaceae
Native Region
Indian Subcontinent and Indo-China (India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Myanmar and surrounding regions)
Growth Habit
Perennial Climbing Vine / Medicinal Liana
Mature Height
10 – 20 meters (33 – 65 ft) when supported by trees or structures
Sunlight
Full Sun to Partial Shade
Water Needs
Moderate; allow the upper soil layer to partially dry between watering
Soil Dynamics
Well-draining loamy, sandy-loam or fertile garden soil; approximately pH 6.0 – 7.5
Propagation
Stem Cuttings and Seeds
