Cynanchum bungei

Family: Apocynaceae

What it is like

A climbing herb. It keeps growing from year to year. It has stout tuberous roots. These are 5-15 cm long by 2-4 cm wide. The leave are opposite and sword shaped. They are 3-8 cm long by 1-5 cm wide. They are hairy. The flowers are white. They are in groups in the axils of leaves. The fruit are follicles that are sword shaped and 9 cm long by 1 cm wide. The seeds are oval and 1 cm long by 5 mm wide.

Also put in the family Asclepiadaceae.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It is native to northern China. It grows in thickets and valleys at about 1,500 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, China, Korea, Mongolia

How it is used for food

Starch is extracted from the root and eaten with sugar.

Edible parts

Root - starch

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Bai shou wu

Synonyms

Vincetoxicum hastatum (Bunge) Kuntze;