China Root
Heterosmilax japonica

Family: Smilacaceae

What it is like

A climbing vine. The stem is woody. The leaf stalk is 1-3 cm long. It has narrow wings along 1/3 of its length. It has tendrils. The leaf blade is oval and 6-22 cm long by 2.4-12 cm wide. The flowering stalk is borne in the axil of the leaf. The flower stalk is 1-3 cm long. There are 20-50 flowers in the cluster. The fruit is a black berry. It is round and 6-10 mm across.

There are 12 Heterosmilax species in tropical and subtropical Asia. It contains steroids.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It grows on densely forested slopes between 500-1800 m altitude in China. In Sichuan and Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Bhutan, China, Himalayas, India, Japan, Northeastern India, Taiwan

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

T 'u fu ling, Xiao ba qia

Synonyms

Heterosmilax arisanensis Hayata; Heterosmilax indica A DC; Heterosmilax raishaensis Hayata; Heterosmilax tsaii F.T.Wang & tang; Smilax hockii Warb.; Smilax planipedunculata Hayata; Smilax stemonifolia H.Leveille & Vaniot;