A couple years ago while working for a proper handyman, the customer, or one of them, was a New College math professor. I won’t give much description here but to say that I was at some point given a tour of his garden, which for being in an urban environment, I found impressive. I guess I’ll say too, that he was a pretty interesting fellow.
Thriving among the many botanicals in his admirable garden was a substantial area of gynura procumbens, or “Longevity Spinach” as some have named it.
At the time, I was entirely ignorant of this plant. I was given a brief explanation by the fellow, and something about it nagged me, intuitively, intriguingly. I wanted some. The professor was kind enough to give me samples of several things from his garden, chiefly, two varieties of Longevity Spinach. More than two years later, I suspect what nagged me was the practicality of it, or its tendency to do very well here in South Florida, even with little to no maintenance. All the gynura images seen in this post are from those two cuttings given to me that day.
I do not suggest that one acquire this plant to neglect it, but what appeals to me is that if one did so, there is a fair chance of it not only surviving, but thriving. A bit of attention and devotion would yield superior results, without doubt, but a little transgression in the garden probably won’t result in anything apocalyptic with this one. It isn’t fond of freezes, nor direct summer sun throughout the day, but kept under the right conditions, it’s a champion.
I’ve not researched the plant much, but some cursory pursuit of the subject suggests it is native to South Asia and perhaps Africa, where it has been used for a long, long time. Some of its functional attributes are:
- Antihypertensive
- Antimicrobial
- Anti inflammatory
- Antioxidant
- Anticancer
- Antihyperglycemic
- Cardio protective
It contains phytochemicals, flavonoids, saponins, alkaloids, and apparently steroids… which might explain the true force behind Popeye and what he was really putting in his pipe.
Typically, it is more known not for any specific attribute, but for significant nutritional and health properties attributed to longevity. As mentioned, I’ve not made a formal study of gynura procumbens, but I’ll make a bold bet that it is healthier than much of the pesticide laden, conventionally grown and unduly aged produce on the common grocery store shelf. But the primary point here is, that it can, with great ease, be local and easily attainable too — by propagating and planting it… planting it, as I do, wherever you can.
Any time I trim or take a clipping from one of the now many bushes growing near me, I stuff it in the ground somewhere cozy and with few exceptions soon after watch it spread. In a time of austerity for many, whether by choice or necessity, this is one of those rare miracles you should seize and not pass by. Growing at least some of your own food is something most people have been rather stubborn about avoiding, but I hope that’s changing. What we have here is a really easy way to modify this behavior and create an abundance of something good.
I have never been a plant snob, although I have had to make efforts to defy contempt for the overuse (or even abuse) of certain species — particularly the dependably inedible ones seen surrounding most structures, the kind of structures that often one must identify by numerical address to distinguish from their adjacent identically hideous clones. Infamous culprits need not be named as one can’t travel far without seeing them protruding from the sterile construction or neglected soil beleaguering the stark, homogeneous facades of indifferent architecture that increasingly blights the landscape. These plants are ubiquitous, but innocent, and despite ubiquity shouldn’t be burdened by guilt through association. They’re merely doing their jobs, in bad neighborhoods, the botanical sentinels of yuppie ghettos and parking lots.
That said, I find gynura, especially the Okinawa variety, to have aesthetic value and easily envision it replacing many common ground covers. The purple color, long leaves and aggressive growth are desirable traits to me. But the primary virtue of this wonderful, generous and enthusiastic plant is that it is entirely edible — an aesthetic that many take for granted.
Gynura Bicolor above & Gynura Procumbens common variety below:
I have worked, temporarily, on several small farms, a 3000 acre fruit orchard, a 30 acre nursery and small ranch. I have always valued plants and animals and deeply appreciate the people and virtues of rural existence. Alas, I have never owned my own property nor stayed long in the places I admired. As a rolling stone, I’ve spent most of my time in urban areas, with far more loathing than loving. In every urban cloaca I’ve dwelled, I tried to plant something. Where I couldn’t do so, I very much wanted to.
Had I known of gynura procumbens many years ago, there might be an invasion of it, because I’d have put it anywhere I could stuff it. Now I am catching up, and I sincerely hope you will too. Please contact me for cuttings if interested, or find some elsewhere and get it growing everywhere.