Practical
Plants

Cynanchum caudatum

a perennial woody member of the Cynanchum genus in the family Asclepiadaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Woodiness
woody
Fertility
Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

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

The root is toxic[4].

Edible uses

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

Root - cooked to remove the bitterness[1][3]. The root must be thoroughly leeched in order to rid it of toxins[4].

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 rhizome is diuretic[2]. A decoction is used in the treatment of liver cirrhosis, ascots, poor digestion, 'accumulation' stoppage caused abdominal pain, gonorrhoea and leucorrhoea[2].

Product or use
Diuretic

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Climber

Environment

Range
E. Asia - China, Japan.
Habitat
Climbs up shrubs and trees in China[2], Edges of deciduous forests at elevations of 600 - 1700 metres in central and northern Japan[5].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

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

Seed - sow spring in the 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 into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division in spring.

Cultivation

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

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors in many parts of this country. It probably does not have any special cultivation requirements and will probably succeed in most soils in a sunny position[K].

References

  1. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩

  4. Reid. B. E. Famine Foods of the Chiu-Huang Pen-ts'ao. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre 1977-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  5. Flora of Japan www.foj.info

    ↩

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