Mlt across the mountain
Cynanchum wilfordii
Family: Apocynaceae
What it is like
A climber. It keeps growing from year to year. The root is fleshy and spindle shape but tapering at both ends. It is 10 cm long by 2 cm wide. The young branches are hairy. The leaves are opposite and papery. They are oval and 5-6 cm long by 2-4 cm wide. They taper to the tip and are heart shaped at the base. They are hairy on both surfaces. The flowers are pale yellow. They are in groups of 15-20. The fruit are follicles 12 cm long by 1 cm wide. They taper towards the base. The seeds are dark brown and oval. They are 7 mm long.
Where it is found
It is a temperate plant. It grows on mountain slopes and roadsides between 800-1,500 m above sea level in China. In Sichuan and Yunnan.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, China, Japan, Korea, Russia, Tibet
How it is used for food
Starch is extracted from the fleshy root. The root is also used in brewing
Edible parts
Root - starch
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Ge shan xiao, Keunjoring, Keunjorong