Vincetoxin
Cynanchum caudatum

Family: Apocynaceae

What it is like

A climber. It climbs up shrubs and trees.

The root contains cynanchotoxin, which can induce paralysis. There are about 150 Cynanchum species. An unresolved name in The Plant List.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It grows in open woodland, thickets at 2500 m altitude in China.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Asia, Australia ?, Bhutan, China, Himalayas, India, Japan, Kashmir, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, SW Asia

How it is used for food

CAUTION: The root contains cynanchotoxin, which can induce paralysis. The root is peeled, sliced, and boiled in several changes of water then washed and boiled again.

Edible parts

Root, caution, leaves

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Asclepias canescens Willdenow; Cynanchum glaucum Wallich ex Wight; Vincetoxicum canescens (Willdenow) Decaisne; Vincetoxicum glaucum (Wallich ex Wight) K. H. Rechinger; Vincetoxicum hirundinaria Medicus subsp. glaucum (Wallich ex Wight) H. Hara;