Cocculus orbiculatus

(L.) DC.

Queen coralbead

MenispermaceaeLeavesRoots

iNaturalist · cc-by-nc
(c) MP Zhou, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)

iNaturalist · cc-by-nc
(c) 梁士明, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)

What to Eat

Edible parts: Leaves, Root

The leaves can be cooked and eaten, though they are considered an emergency food used only when other options are unavailable. One report suggests the root may also be edible.

Where to Find It

It is a subtropical plant. It grows beside streams and up to 1,000 m above sea level. In Yunnan. It suits hardiness zones 6-9.

Asia, China, Hawaii, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Mauritius, Nepal, Pacific, Philippines, SE Asia, Thailand, USA, Vietnam,

Countries: United Arab Emirates, Afghanistan, Armenia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bahrain, Brunei, Bhutan, China, Fiji, Micronesia, Georgia, Indonesia, Israel, India, Iraq, Iran, Jordan, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Cambodia, Kiribati, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Laos, Lebanon, Sri Lanka, Marshall Islands, Myanmar, Mongolia, Mauritius, Maldives, Malaysia, Nepal, Nauru, New Zealand, Oman, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Pakistan, Palau, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Solomon Islands, Singapore, Syria, Thailand, Tajikistan, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Tonga, Turkey, Tuvalu, Taiwan, United States, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Vanuatu, Samoa, Yemen

How to Identify

A woody vine. It grows 4 m long. It loses its leaves during the year. The leaves vary in shape. They are oval and 3-8 cm long. The fruit are black.

How to Grow

Propagation: Sow seed as soon as it is ripe in a greenhouse; stored seed should be sown as soon as possible. Prick seedlings into individual pots once large enough to handle and grow on under glass for at least their first winter. Plant out in late spring or early summer after the last expected frosts. Root cuttings can be taken in December in a greenhouse. Division can be done during the dormant season. Cuttings of half-ripe wood can be taken in July or August in a frame.

Medicinal Uses

The root is anodyne, antiphlogistic, antirheumatic, carminative, depurative, diuretic, and vermifuge, and is used to treat rheumatic arthritis, oedema, and oliguria. It has also demonstrated antibacterial and anti-amoebic activity. A decoction made from the stems is used in treating asthma, bronchitis, and paralysis.

Other Uses

The bleached tendrils are used as an ornamental infill in basket making. The plant contains cocculoidine, a compound with insecticidal activity.

Wikipedia

Deciduous climbing vine reaching 4 meters tall. Flowers in August with seeds ripening by October. Monoecious with male and female flowers on the same plant. Grows in light sandy, medium loamy, or heavy clay soils with good drainage. Tolerates mildly acidic to basic pH levels. Adapts to semi-shade or full sun and prefers consistently moist soil. Hardy to UK zone 7.

Notes

There are about 8 Cocculus species.

Names & Synonyms

Heimanye

Cocculus integra (Hillebr.) KuntzeCocculus trilobus (Thunb.) DC.Menispermum orbiculatum L.and many others

References (6)

Hwang, H., et al, 2013, A Study on the Flora of 15 Islands in the Western Sea of Jeollanamdo Province, Korea. Journal of Asia-Pacific Biodiversity Vol. 6, No. 2 281-310 (As Cocculus trilobus)
Hwang, HS, et al, 2014, Distribution characteristics of plant in the Ungseokbong Mountain, Gyeongsangnam-do, Korea. Journal of Asia-Pacific Biodiversity. 7(2014) e164-e178 (As Cocculus trilobus)
Kang, Y., et al, 2012, Wild food plants and wild edible fungi in two valleys on the Qinling Mountains (Shaanxi, central China) Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine; 9:26 (As Cocculus trilobus)
Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
World Checklist of Useful Plant Species 2020. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
www.efloras.org Flora of China Volume 7