Cynanchum caudatum — Edible Plant Database

What to Eat

Edible parts: Root, Caution, Leaves

The root can be eaten after cooking, but must be thoroughly leeched first in order to remove its toxins and reduce bitterness.

Where to Find It

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

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

Countries: United Arab Emirates, Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bahrain, Brunei, Bhutan, China, Georgia, Indonesia, Israel, India, Iraq, Iran, Jordan, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Cambodia, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Laos, Lebanon, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Mongolia, Maldives, Malaysia, Nepal, Oman, Philippines, Pakistan, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Syria, Thailand, Tajikistan, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Turkey, Taiwan, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Yemen

How to Identify

Perennial climber flowering July to August with hermaphrodite insect-pollinated flowers. Accommodates light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils at mildly acidic to basic pH levels. Grows in semi-shade or full light with preference for moist soil.

How to Grow

Propagation: Sow seed in spring in a greenhouse. Once seedlings are large enough to handle, prick them out into individual pots and grow on under cover for at least their first winter before planting into permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division can be carried out in spring.

Medicinal Uses

The rhizome is diuretic. A decoction is used in the treatment of liver cirrhosis, ascites, poor digestion, accumulation-caused abdominal pain, gonorrhoea, and leucorrhoea.

Other Uses

None known

Wikipedia

Perennial climber flowering July to August with hermaphrodite insect-pollinated flowers. Accommodates light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils at mildly acidic to basic pH levels. Grows in semi-shade or full light with preference for moist soil.

Notes

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

Names & Synonyms

Asclepias canescens WilldenowCynanchum glaucum Wallich ex WightVincetoxicum canescens (Willdenow) DecaisneVincetoxicum glaucum (Wallich ex Wight) K. H. RechingerVincetoxicum hirundinaria Medicus subsp. glaucum (Wallich ex Wight) H. Hara

References (6)

Burkill, I.H., 1966, A Dictionary of the Economic Products of the Malay Peninsula. Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Vol 1 (A-H) p 738
Li Ping-tao; Michael G. Gilbert, W. Douglas Stevens, ASCLEPIADACEAE Flora of China.
Lim, T. K., 2015, Edible Medicinal and Non Medicinal Plants. Volume 9, Modified Stems, Roots, Bulbs. Springer p 31
Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
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Williams, D., 2017, Ainu Ethnobiology. Contributions in Ethnobiology. Society of Ethnobiology.