Bai Wei

Cynanchum atratum

Physical Characteristics

Cynanchum atratum is a PERENNIAL CLIMBER growing to 0.6 m (2ft). It is in flower from May to June. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Distribution

E. Asia - Northern China, Japan.

Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves Seedpod Edible Uses: Young stem and leaves - cooked[105, 177, 179]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity. Young seedpods - thoroughly boiled[177, 179]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.

Medicinal Uses

Antitussive Depurative Diuretic Febrifuge Sialagogue Urinary The root is depurative, diuretic and febrifuge[176, 178]. In Chinese medicine, the decocted root is generally used with other herbs in the treatment of coughs and hectic fevers, haematuria, acute urinary tract infection, pharyngitis, abscesses and snake bites[176, 218]. The stem is antitussive and sialagogue[218].

Known Hazards

There are some reports of toxins in this genus[179].