Stephania cephalantha
Hayata
Menispermaceae
Stephania disciflora Hand.-Mazz.
Common Name:
Stem of the plant, climbing into the surrounding vegetation
Photograph by: Shih-Shiuan Kao
Stem of the plant, climbing into the surrounding vegetation
Photograph by: Shih-Shiuan Kao
Foliage
Photograph by: ??
General Information
Stephania cephalantha is a herbaceous, perennial climbing plant producing stems up to 2 metres long from a tuberous rootstock that can be 20cm or more wide[
266- Title
- Flora of China
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
- Publisher
- Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis.
- Year
- 1994
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available.
].
The plant is often used in traditional Chinese medicine, for which purpose it is generally harvested from the wild. The alkaloid cepharanthine, which is obtained from this plant, is often used as a treatment for TB in Japan - the plant is now cultivated to provide a source of this alkaloid[
582- Title
- Medicinal Plants of the Philippines
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.bpi.da.gov.ph/Publications/mp/mplants.html
- Publisher
- Bureau of Plant Industry, Philippines.
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An Internet site from the Philippines Department of Agriculture, giving information in a readable way on the medicinal uses of many plants in their area.
].
Known Hazards
None known
Botanical References
266- Title
- Flora of China
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
- Publisher
- Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis.
- Year
- 1994
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available.
Range
E. Asia - southern and central China.
Habitat
Village margins, open fields, forest margins[
266- Title
- Flora of China
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
- Publisher
- Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis.
- Year
- 1994
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available.
].
Properties
| Medicinal Rating |  |
| Habit | Perennial Climber |
| Height | 1.50 m |
| Self-fertile | No |
| Cultivation Status | Cultivated, Wild |
Cultivation Details
A plant mainly of subtropical China, but entering into the Tropics in the south of its range.
Prefers a position in full sun to moderate shade[
385- Title
- Bihrmann's Caudiciforms
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.bihrmann.com/caudiciforms/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An internet site giving information on caudiciform plants (plants with swollen stem bases such as the Baobab tree, cycads and many succulents). Excellent photos, usually of cultivated plants in pots.
]. Grows best in a moist but well-drained, humus-rich soil[
385- Title
- Bihrmann's Caudiciforms
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.bihrmann.com/caudiciforms/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An internet site giving information on caudiciform plants (plants with swollen stem bases such as the Baobab tree, cycads and many succulents). Excellent photos, usually of cultivated plants in pots.
].
Edible Uses
None known
Medicinal
The tuber is analgesic, diuretic. It is used in the treatment of epilepsy and tuberculosis[
218- Title
- Medicinal Plants of China
- Publication
-
- Author
- Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S.
- Publisher
- Reference Publications, Inc.
- Year
- 1985
- ISBN
- 0-917256-20-4
- Description
- Details of over 1,200 medicinal plants of China and brief details of their uses. Often includes an analysis, or at least a list of constituents. Heavy going if you are not into the subject.
,
310- Title
- Plant Resources of Southeast Asia
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://proseanet.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Lots of information on the uses of the plants of SE Asia.
].
The tuber contained the alkaloid cepharanthine, which is said to be of low toxicity and very effective against TB infection in various parts of the body. A single, strong dose is said to cure whooping cough[
218- Title
- Medicinal Plants of China
- Publication
-
- Author
- Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S.
- Publisher
- Reference Publications, Inc.
- Year
- 1985
- ISBN
- 0-917256-20-4
- Description
- Details of over 1,200 medicinal plants of China and brief details of their uses. Often includes an analysis, or at least a list of constituents. Heavy going if you are not into the subject.
].
Other Uses
None known
Propagation
Seed -
If you have any useful information about this plant, please leave a comment. Comments have to be approved before they are shown here.
Useful Tropical Plants Database 2014 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
