Japanese name: イケマ Scientific name:Cynanchum caudatum var. caudatum
[Overview]
A climbing perennial found at forest edges and in grasslands in the mountains.
It has a thick rhizome.
A white milky sap comes out when the stems or leaves are damaged.
The stems grow long, twining around other plants.
The leaves are simple and opposite, ovate-cordate, 5–15 cm long and 4–10 cm wide, with a tail-like pointed tip and entire margins.
The petiole is 3–6 cm long.
Umbel-like cymes arise from the leaf axils, with peduncles 6–12 cm long.
The flowers are star-shaped and pale yellowish green; the corolla is strongly reflexed and hairy on the inside.
The corona is pale yellow and membranous.
The flower stalk is 1–2 cm long.
The fruit is a follicle 8–11 cm long and 1 cm wide, which splits open when ripe.
The seeds are flat and winged, with long white hairs at the tip.
[Uses]
Although poisonous, the root is used medicinally.
[Cultivation]
Propagate from seed.
It prefers sunny, well-drained soil.
For potted plants, water thoroughly when the soil surface dries; for plants in the ground, rainfall is sufficient.
In spring, apply slow-release fertilizer placed on the soil.
There are no particular pests or diseases.
