Plants tomentose or pubescent throughout. Stems to 2 m, lower part erect with larger and broader leaves, upper fertile part twining with smaller and narrower leaves. Petiole 3-15 mm; lower leaf blades broadly ovate or elliptic, 7-10 × 3-6 cm, papery, base rounded or subcordate, ciliate; lateral veins 6-8 pairs. Inflorescences umbel-like, up to 12-flowered; peduncle 0-10 mm, tomentose. Pedicel 3-5 mm. Sepals linear-lanceolate, 2-3 × ca. 0.5 mm; basal glands 5. Corolla yellow-white to dark purple, rotate to campanulate; tube ca. 0.5 mm; lobes ovate-triangular, ca. 2.5 × 2 mm, pubescent. Corona shorter than gynostegium; lobes triangular, fleshy, somewhat laterally compressed, adnate to anthers. Anthers rhomboid, appendages rounded; pollinia ellipsoid. Stigma head slightly convex. Follicles broadly lanceolate in outline, 4-5 cm × 8-10 mm. Seeds ovate, ca. 5 × 3 mm; coma ca. 2 cm.

Used as diuretic (roots and rhizomes)

Flora of China

The roots and rhizomes are used for the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis, edema, and gonorrhea. The roots can also be used as a substitute for Cynanchum atratum Bge. in treating febrile diseases, acute urinary infection, and for dysuria with hematuria, for sore throat, boils, and sores.

Jing-Nuan Wu. An Illustrated Chinese Materia Medica. P: 238, Oxford University Press, Inc.2005.