Rhizome usually moniliform or tuberous moniliform, rarely subterete, 1-2 cm thick. Stem erect, 50-100 cm, glabrous. Leaves 10-15, alternate; petiole short; leaf blade elliptic to oblong-lanceolate, occasionally falcate, 10-18 × 2-7 cm, apex usually acuminate. Inflorescences umbel-like, (1 or)2-7(-14)-flowered; peduncle 1-4(-6) cm; bracts borne on proximal part of pedicel, small, or absent. Flowers pendulous; pedicel 0.5-1.5(-3) cm; perianth yellowish green, campanulate-cylindric, 1.8-2.5 cm; lobes ca. 3 mm; filaments slightly compressed, 3-4 mm, papillose or shortly cottony, apically slightly dilated or saccate-convex; anthers 3.5-4 mm; ovary 3-6 mm; style 1.2-1.5 cm. Berries black, ca. 1 cm in diam., 3-9-seeded.

Antiseptic, demulcent, tonic and vasodilator (root)

Flora of China
Plant for a Future

The root is used to prevent atherosclerosis and fatty infiltration in the liver. It is used in the treatment of dry coughs due to chronic bronchitis and pulmonary tuberculosis, diabetes, sore loins and dizziness, fatigue, weak pulse and poor appetite.

Jing-Nuan Wu. An Illustrated Chinese Materia Medica. P: 506, Oxford University Press, Inc.2005.