Kadsura coccinea
Species of flowering plant
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Kadsura coccinea, known by the common name Crimson kadsura, is a species of flowering plant in the family Schisandraceae. The species is an evergreen climber with white, red, and green flowers. It is native to south-east Asia.
| Kadsura coccinea | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Embryophytes |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Spermatophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Order: | Austrobaileyales |
| Family: | Schisandraceae |
| Genus: | Kadsura |
| Species: | K. coccinea |
| Binomial name | |
| Kadsura coccinea (Lem.) A.C.Sm. | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
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Synonymy
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Kadsura coccinea was described in 1947. It is used in medicine.
Taxonomy
Kadsura coccinea was described in 1947 by Albert Charles Smith.[1] The type specimen was cultivated in a botanic garden. It was probably grown from a plant introduced by Charles von Hügel.[2]: 168
Description
K. coccinea is an evergreen climbing plant. It grows to 4–8 metres (13–26 ft) high.[3] The plants are hairless.[4]
The leaves are papery or leathery in texture,[4] and are pointed and oval in shape.[3] The leaves measure 7–19 centimetres (2.8–7.5 in) long, and 2.5–10 centimetres (0.98–3.94 in) wide. The leaf stems are 0.9–3 centimetres (0.35–1.18 in) long.[4] The plant is in leaf all year round.[5]
The flowers are solitary and cup shaped. Each plant has either male or female flowers, which may be white, red, and pale green.[3] The plants flower from May to July.[5]
Female plants develop segmented red to dark purple fruits. The fruits measure 6–10 centimetres (2.4–3.9 in) across.[5][3] The fruit stems are 2.6–4.9 centimetres (1.0–1.9 in) long.[4] Seeds ripen from August to November.[5]
Ecology
Kadsura coccinea is a host of the fungi Pestalotiopsis maculans, Corynespora cassiicola, Alternaria alternata, and Neopestalotiopsis clavispora.[6]
Distribution
Kadsura coccinea is found in the subtropical regions of south China and Indo-China, as well as Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam.[1]
The species is found in semi-open shrublands,[4] forests, in ravines, and on slopes,[2]: 168 at elevations of 1,500–2,000 metres (4,900–6,600 ft).[5] It grows best in moist clay, loam, and sand.[3]
Uses
The fruits are edible,[4] and have a sedative effect when roasted. The seeds have aphrodisiac and tonic effects.[5]
The Tujia people use the plant's roots to alleviate rheumatoid arthritis and gastrointestinal issues. The roots contain Sesquiterpenes, which may attenuate arthritis related inflammation.[7]
