Practical
Plants

Cynanchum wilfordii

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
2.5 m
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.

There are some reports of toxins in this genus[1].

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.

The root contains several medically active compounds, it is tonic and has liver-protecting properties[3]. It is used in Korea to treat scrofula and cold knee[3].

Product or use
Hepatic
Product or use
Tonic

Environment

Range
E. Asia - northern China, Japan, Korea.
Habitat
Open grassy slopes on mountains and hills in Korea[3]. Forest edges and lowlands to elevations of 1600 metres in Japan[2].
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

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

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

    ↩

  2. Flora of Japan www.foj.info

    ↩

  3. Medicinal Plants in the Republic of Korea World Health Organisation, Manila 1998-00-00 ISBN 92 9061 120 0

    ↩1↩2↩3

Edit this page