Botanical Name: Kadsura longepedunculata
Family: Schisandraceae
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Austrobaileyales
Genus: Kadsura
Species: K. longipedunculata
Synonyms:
*Kadsura discigera Finet & Gagnep.
*Kadsura omeiensis S. F. Lan
*Kadsura peltigera Rehder & E.H.Wilson
Habitat: Kadsura longepedunculata is native to E. Asia – western China.(Anhui, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hainan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Sichuan, Yunnan, Zhejiang.) It grows on the stream edges and damp shady places. Forests and slopes below 1000 metres.
Description:
Kadsura longepedunculata is an evergreen Climber growing to 3.5 m (11ft 6in). Plants glabrous throughout. Petiole 0.6-1.7(-3) cm; leaf blade elliptic to rarely ovate-elliptic or obovate-elliptic, 5.5-12(-15) × 2-4.5(-6.5) cm, papery to leathery, secondary veins 4-8 on each side of midvein, base cuneate to rarely broadly cuneate, margin subentire, denticulate, serrulate, or serrate, apex shortly to long acuminate. Flower peduncle 1.2-4(-6.4) cm (staminate), (1-)3-5(-16) cm (pistillate). Tepals 10-15(-20), pale yellow, yellow, or occasionally reddish, largest 4-7(-13) × 3-6(-10) mm. Staminate flowers: stamens 26-54; staminodes absent. Pistillate flowers: carpels 20-58. Fruit peduncle 2.5-9.5 cm; apocarps red, purple, or rarely black, 6.5-11.5(-15) × 4.5-6.5(-11) mm. Seeds 1-3 per apocarp, reniform, 3.5-4.5 × 4.5-6 mm.
It is in leaf all year, in flower from July to September, and the seeds ripen from October to December. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). The plant is not self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: acid and neutral soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.
Cultivation:
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. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Requires a sheltered position in a moderately fertile well-drained neutral to acid soil. Prefers a position in semi-shade. Flowers are produced on the current year’s growth. Plants do not really require pruning. Dioecious, male and female plants must be grown if seed and fruit is required.
Ediible Uses: The fruit is edible – raw or cooked. The globose fruit is 15 – 35mm in diameter.
Medicinal Uses: The fruit, root, stems or leaves are antitussive, anodyne, carminative and decongestant.
Disclaimer : The information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplement, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.
Resources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kadsura_longipedunculata
https://pfaf.org/User/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Kadsura+longepedunculata
http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=242327638