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Cynanchum wilfordii

Common name:		Family:	Asclepiadaceae
Author:	(Maxim.)Hemsl.	Botanical references:	275
Synonyms:
Known Hazards:	There are some reports of toxins in this genus[179].
Range:	E. Asia - northern China, Japan, Korea.
Habitat:	Open grassy slopes on mountains and hills in Korea[279]. Forest edges and lowlands to elevations of 1600 metres in Japan[275].
Edibility Rating (1-5):	0	Medicinal Rating (1-5):	2

Systematics:	From a USDA Plants Database
	Order: Gentianales. Milkweed family

Physical Characteristics

Perennial growing to 2.5m. . It is in flower from July to August. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Insects. We rate it 0/5 for edibility and 2/5 for medicinal use.

The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It requires moist soil.

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal Uses

Disclaimer

Hepatic; Tonic.

The root contains several medically active compounds, it is tonic and has liver-protecting properties[279]. It is used in Korea to treat scrofula and cold knee[279].

Other Uses

None known

Cultivation details

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it could succeed outdoors in many parts of this country. It probably does not have any special cultivation requirements and will probably succeed in most soils in a sunny position[K].

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in the greenhouse. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Division in spring.

Suppliers

For more details of plant suppliers please see our Suppliers Page which lists many more places to look.

Web References

References for the family Asclepiadaceae.

[CHINA] Data Very detailed botanical/identification info. from the Flora of China.

See the PFAF Links Pages for other sources.

Also try Photos and info from the The Plants Database which has 14,000 images.

References

[K] Ken Fern
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.

[179] Reid. B. E. Famine Foods of the Chiu-Huang Pen-ts'ao. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre 1977
A translation of an ancient Chinese book on edible wild foods. Fascinating.

Readers Comments

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Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future - Species Database. Copyright (c) 1997-2003.
WEB search engine by Rich Morris - Home Page- Contact Info
Blagdon Cross, Ashwater, Beaworthy, Devon, EX21 5DF, UK.
Website: www.pfaf.org Phone: 0845 458 4719/_44(0) 1208 872963

This page (UK) http://www.comp.leeds.ac.uk/cgi-bin/pfaf/arr_html?Cynanchum+wilfordii
This page (US) http://www.ibiblio.org/pfaf/cgi-bin/arr_html?Cynanchum+wilfordii

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We make no claims of magical effects or supernatural powers for any item in this catalog. In spite of legendary attributes or occult and craft tradition, such items are offered as curios only and beliefs concerning their magical effectiveness are related only for historical interest.