Practical
Plants

Tripterygium wilfordii

a member of the Tripterygium genus in the family Celastraceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Foliage
deciduous
Height
12 m
Flower type
hermaphrodite

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.

All parts of the plant are highly toxic[2][5].

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.

All parts of the plant are highly poisonous and should not be used internally[2][5]. They are antiphlogistic, antirheumatic and depurative[2][5]. They are used externally in the treatment of pruritis and ulcers of the waistband[2][5]. The plant contains various anticancer compounds, including dulcitol[5]. A tincture of the plant has brought relief to 98% of rheumatic arthritic patients[5].

Plant part
All
Product or use
Antiphlogistic
Plant part
All
Product or use
Depurative
Plant part
All
Product or use
Antirrheumatic
Plant part
All
Product or use
Antipruritic
Plant part
All
Product or use
Antitumoral

Material uses

The pulverized roots are used as an insecticide[7][8][9]. All parts of the plant are highly toxic and are used to kill maggots and larvae - they will also poison rats, birds etc[5].

Plant part
Roots
Preparation
Pulverized
Product or use
Insecticide

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Climber

Environment

Range
E. Asia - S. China to Burma.
Habitat
Field and ditch edges and on the banks of streams[2].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 9+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline, very alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
False
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

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

Seed - sow autumn in a greenhouse[4]. 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.

Cultivation

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

Succeeds in any fertile soil in sun or part shade, flowering best when in a sunny position[1][3][4]. Prefers a moist loamy soil[4]. Tolerates chalky soils[4]. This species is not very hardy in Britain, succeeding outdoors only in the milder areas of the country[1][3]. It requires the protection of a wall and a minimum temperature of about -5°c[4]. Plants can be grown into trees or over unsightly walls[4]. The flowers diffuse a soft sweet perfume[6].

References

  1. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  3. Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  5. 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↩4↩5↩6↩7

  6. Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8

    ↩

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

    ↩

  8. Schery. R. W. Plants for Man.

    ↩

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

    ↩

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