Practical
Plants

Cocculus orbiculatus

a deciduous member of the Cocculus genus in the family Menispermaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Foliage
deciduous
Height
4 m
Flower type
monoecious

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Leaves - cooked. An emergency food, it is used when all else fails[5]. One report says that the root might be edible[5].

Plant part
Leaves
Plant part
Root

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The root is anodyne, antiphlogistic, antirheumatic, carminative, depurative, diuretic and vermifuge[3][4][7]. It is used in the treatment of rheumatic arthritis, oedema and oliguria[4]. It has also shown antibacterial and anti-amoebic activity[4]. A decoction of the stems is used in the treatment of asthma, bronchitis and paralysis[7].

Product or use
Anodyne
Product or use
Antiasthmatic
Product or use
Antiphlogistic
Product or use
Antirheumatic
Product or use
Carminative
Product or use
Depurative
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Vermifuge

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The bleached tendrils are used as an ornamental infill in basket making[10][11]. The plant contains cocculoidine which has insecticidal activity[7].

Product or use
Basketry
Product or use
Insecticide

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Climber

Environment

Range
E. Asia - China, Japan.
Habitat
Sides of streams, to 1000 metres in W. China[2]. Sparse forests, bushes, village sides and forest edges in most regions of China[9].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 7+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - we have no details for this species but suggest sowing the seed as soon as it is ripe in a greenhouse. Sow stored seed as soon as possible in a greenhouse. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Root cuttings in December in a greenhouse[6]. Division in the dormant season. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame[6].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Easily cultivated in an ordinary garden soil[1], it prefers a well-drained moisture retentive fertile soil in full sun or semi-shade[6]. Plants only fruit well when grown in full sun[8]. This species is hardy to about -10°c[6]. Plants climb by means of twining around supports[8]. They do not normally require pruning[8]. Closely related to C. carolinus[6].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

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  2. Wilson. E. H. Plantae Wilsonae.

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  3. ? A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press ISBN 0-914294-92-X

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  4. Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles 1985-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  5. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

    ↩1↩2

  6. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  7. Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4

    ↩1↩2↩3

  8. Grey-Wilson. C. & Matthews. V. Gardening on Walls Collins 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-00-219220-0

    ↩1↩2↩3

  9. Flora of China 1994-00-00 http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/

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  10. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

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  11. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

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