A parasitic plant. Stem subterranean, 15-50(-100) × 0.6-2(-4) cm, ± thickened at base. Leaves scalelike, ovate-deltoid, 0.5-1.5 × 0.5-1.2 cm, apex acute. Spadix clavate, 5-16 × 2-6 cm, fragrant. Male flowers 3-6 mm; perianth lobes often 4, whitish proximally, purplish red distally, oblanceolate or spatulate, 2.5-3.5 × 0.8-1.2 mm; stamen exserted from perianth; filament dark red, thickened, to 6 mm; anther dorsifixed, dark purplish, ca. 1.5 mm; nectary yellow, suborbicular, 2-3 mm, apex 4- or 5-denticulate. Female flowers: perianth lobes 5 or 6, linear-lanceolate, 1-2 mm; style purplish red, clavate, ca. 2 mm; stigma flat. Bisexual flowers rare; perianth lobes lanceolate, ca. 0.5 mm; filament minute; pistil as in female flowers. Fruit numerous, whitish, subglobose, ca. 1 mm; style persistent, yellow.

Used medicinally as a tonic and aphrodisiac (stems)

Flora of China

The stems are used for treating impotence, nocturnal ejaculation, infertility, weakness of the extremities and for constipation due to dry intestine.

Contraindicated in patients with hyperactive Yang due to Yin deficiency, diarrhea due to Spleen Qi deficiency, and constipation due to excess heat.

Jing-Nuan Wu. An Illustrated Chinese Materia Medica. P: 244, Oxford University Press, Inc.2005.