Pueraria montana chinensis
Mealy Kudzu
a perennial woody member of the Pueraria genus in the family Leguminosae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Leguminosae
- Genus
- Pueraria
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Woodiness
- woody
- Height
- 2 m
- Fertility
- Insects
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Insects
Uses
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 flowers are used in the treatment of thirst, high fever, abdominal fullness, nausea and vomiting due to alcohol poisoning[1]. The root is antipyretic, antispasmodic, diaphoretic and hypotensive[1]. It is used in the treatment f common colds with discomfort and pain in the neck and back, febrile diseases, diabetes, hypertensive headaches, coronary heart diseases and measles[1]. The root contains puerarin. This increases the blood flow to the coronary artery and protects against acute myocardial ischaemia caused by the injection of pituitrin (hypophysin)[1].
- Product or use
- Antipyretic
- Product or use
- Antispasmodic
- Product or use
- Diaphoretic
- Product or use
- Hypotensive
Ecology and functions
- Ecosystem niche
- Climber
Environment
- Range
- E. Asia - eastern Himalayas from Sikkim to the Khasia Hills at an elevation of 1,500 - 2,100 metres.
- Habitat
- Not known
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- no shade
- Water
- moderate
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerances
- drought
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- tolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Pre-soak the seed for 12 hours in warm water and sow in a warm greenhouse in early spring. Germination should take place within 2 weeks. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out after the last expected frosts[2]. Cover the young plants with a frame or cloche until they are growing away well.
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 at least in the milder parts of this country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Requires a sunny position in a well-drained soil[2]. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[2].
References
Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles 1985-00-00
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5