Flagellaria indica is a climbing plant found in many of the tropical and subtropical regions of the Old World, India, Bangladesh, Southeast Asia, Polynesia, and Australia.

[1] A strong climber, it grows often up to 15 metres (49 ft) tall, with thick cane-like stems exceeding 15 millimetres (19⁄32 in) in diameter.

A coiled apex (tendril) of the leaf forms the holding part of the climbing plant.

Fragrant white flowers form in panicles, 10 to 25 centimetres (4 to 10 in) long.

Because of its wide distribution, many local common names are used, such as whip vine, hell tail, supplejack, false rattan, and bush cane.