Kadsura scandens

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Kadsura scandens

Description

Woody vines. Leaves papyraceous to coriaceous, 5—16(—19) jam thick; lamina elliptic to ovate, (9—)10—15(—21) by (4.5-)5-9(-15) cm, length: width ratio (1.3-)1.4-2.1 (-2.4); primary vein variably plane to highly impressed above, (very) prominent below; secondary veins 4-6(-8) pairs, (slightly) arcuate; base obtuse to truncate (cuneate in younger leaves); apex acute to acuminate; margin entire; petiole (7.5-)11.5-30(-48) mm long, 1.2-2.3(-2.8) mm diameter. Flowers either borne solitary in axils of leaves (occasionally with secondary flower borne in axil of prophyll) or in axils of fugace- ous bracts, occasionally cauliflorous; peduncle (4-)8-42(-70) mm long, 0.6-1.3 mm diameter. Fruit peduncle not markedly elongated, 21-25 mm long; berries 40-93 (possibly more), ripening red, 9.5-22(-30) by 6.5-14(-17.5) mm, length: width ratio 1.2-1.8 (-2.1), berries sessile, pericarp greatly thickened distally, with basal locule and seeds. Seeds 1 or 2 per berry, pyriform, discoid or reniform, (4.5-)5.5-8.5(-10) by (4-)5-9 (-11) mm, length: width ratio 0.8-1.1(-1.5).

Distribution

Asia-Tropical: Jawa (Jawa present); Lesser Sunda Is. (Bali present); Malaya (Peninsular Malaysia present); Sumatera (Sumatera present)
Malesia: Sumatra, Malay Peninsula, Java and Bali.

Uses

Kadsura scandens is reported to have a variety of medicinal uses. Decoctions of the roots and/or stems are used as a lotion to combat rheumatism or as an expectorant; the sap is drunk as a remedy for urinary problems, abdominal pains and diarrhoea, or applied to alleviate skin diseases; and the bark is further used to combat fever. See The fruit is also reported to be edible, although rather astringent (Burkill 1966; Heyne 1950).

Notes

Cuticular features are discussed by H.S. Rao , and pollen structure by Wodehouse and Praglowski .

Citation

Ridl. 1900 – In: J. Str. Br. Roy. As. Soc.: 38
Backer & Bakh. f. 1964 – In: Fl. Java: 99
R.M. K. Saunders: Gard. Bull. Sing: (in press)
Keng 1990: Conc. Fl. Sing.: 9
King 1891: p. 221. – In: Ann. Bot. Gard. Calc.: pl. 71
Backer 1911: Schoolfl. Java: 17
Koord. 1912 – In: Exk. FL Java: 242
A.C. Sm. 1947 – In: Sargentia: 199
Backer 1911: Schoolfl. Java: 16
Keng 1972 – In: Fl. Thailand: 114
King 1889 – In: J. As. Soc. Beng.: 375
Ridl. 1922 – In: Fl. Malay Penins.: 20