I will never forget the first time I saw it. In primary school, a friend smiled secretively and opened her notebook. Inside the pages lay the most exquisite thing I had ever seen. It was a tender folded leaf with a silver velvet texture.
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The second time I saw it was on a nature walk with my boyfriend. It was raining heavily and we didn't carry an umbrella. As we turned a corner to take shelter under a big tree, we saw a creeper with large heart-shaped leaves embracing the tree. The leaves at the tip of the vine were silver! My companion reached up and plucked a leaf. It was one of the first gifts of pure young love.
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This monsoon, when we visited our hometown, the first thing we saw as we looked out of the back door was a vine with the silver leaves entwined around a papaya tree. It was the best welcome gift we could have wished for. To have something so utterly precious growing in our backyard was a blessing.
Looking beyond, we saw the same vine growing berserk like a giant beanstalk on a tall palm tree. At the top it was crowned with tubular purple flowers.
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Some research informed us that the botanical name of this vine was Argyreia Nervosa and it was commonly known as Elephant vine (because of its large elephant-ear leaves) or Hawaiian Wood rose (because of its woody-rose-like seeds).
Ancient ayurvedic texts claim that it has aphrodisiac properties. It is used to delay old age and to strengthen the body.
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Well, useful or not, the vine has an unparalleled majestic beauty and it is a pleasure to have it naturally growing in our backyard.
