Metaplexis japonica

Family: Apocynaceae

What it is like

A creeper. The young stems are hairy. The leaves are oval or heart shaped. The lobes at the base curve backwards. The flowers are white and can have purple stripes. The fruit is a long follicle 8-9 cm long by 2 cm wide.

Used in medicine.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It grows in thickets and on the edge of forests. In Sichuan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Britain, China, Europe, Japan, Korea, Russia

How it is used for food

The young leaves are eaten with oil and salt. They are used as seasoning with cooked vegetables. The fruit is eaten as a snack.

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves, root

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Bakjugari

Synonyms

Metaplexis chinensis (Bunge) Decaisne; Metaplexis stauntonii R. Br. ex Schultes; Pergularia japonica Thunberg; Urostelma chinensis Bunge;