Schisandraceae FAMILY

Kadsura japonica

Edibility

2/5

Medicinal

2/5

Safety & Hazards

None known

Botanical Description

Kadsura japonica is an evergreen, climbing shrub with twining stems growing up to 3.5 metres tall. The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of mucilage. It is often grown as an ornamental in the tropics and subtropics, valued especially for its foliage (often variegated) and scarlet fruits[ 1014 Title Monograph of Kadsura (Schisandraceae) Publication Systematic Botany Monographs Vol. 54 Author Saunders R.M.K. Publisher The American Society of Plant Taxonomists; Michigan Year 1998 ISBN 0-912861-54-1 Description A detailed monograph of the genus Kadsura, mentioning plant uses ].

Habitat & Origin

Origintemperate; tropical

Native RangeE. Asia - southern China, Taiwan, southern Korea, central and southern Japan.

HabitatClimbs trees in woodlands[ 58 Title Flora of Japan. (English translation) Publication Author Ohwi. G. Publisher Smithsonian Institution Year 1965 ISBN - Description The standard work. Brilliant, but not for the casual reader. ]. Forests and slopes at elevaions of 500 - 2000 metres in Fujian and Taiwan Provinces, China[ 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. ].