Status:
valid
Authors:
(Hemsl.) Tsiang & H.D.Zhang
Source:
cmp
Year:
1974
Citation Micro:
Acta Phytotax. Sin. 12: 90 (1974)
WFO Identifier:
wfo-0000633413
Common Names
- Common Swallow Wort
- Cynanchum officinale
- Common Vincetoxicum
Synonyms
- Cynanchum bodinieri Schltr. ex H.Lév. [unknown]
- Pentatropis officinalis Hemsl. [unknown]
Description
Cynanchum officinale (also called common swallowwort, among many other common names) is a perennial herb native to China. It has a creeping habit and grows up to 30 cm tall. The leaves are opposite, sessile, and ovate-lanceolate in shape. It is found in grasslands, forests, and rocky slopes.
Uses & Benefits
Cynanchum officinale is used in traditional Chinese medicine for its anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and anti-viral properties. It is also used to treat fever, headache, and other ailments.
Flower, Seeds and Seedlings
The flower of Cynanchum officinale is a white, star-shaped flower with five petals. The seed is a black, round seed with a white hilum. The seedlings are small, with a single pair of opposite leaves.
Cultivation and Propagation
Cynanchum officinale is a perennial herb that can be propagated by seed or division. It prefers full sun to partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. It is drought tolerant once established and can tolerate some frost. Deadheading spent flowers will help promote more blooms.
Where to Find Cynanchum officinale
Cynanchum officinale is native to South Africa.
Cynanchum officinale FAQ
What is the scientific name of Cynanchum officinale?
Cynanchum officinale
What is the family of Cynanchum officinale?
Apocynaceae
What is the native range of Cynanchum officinale?
Southern Africa
Species in the Cynanchum genus
Cynanchum absconditum,
Cynanchum abyssinicum,
Cynanchum acidum,
Cynanchum aculeatum,
Cynanchum acuminatum,
Cynanchum acutifolium,
Cynanchum acutum,
Cynanchum adalinae,
Cynanchum africanum,
Cynanchum alatum,
Cynanchum altiscandens,
Cynanchum ambovombense,
Cynanchum ampanihense,
Cynanchum analamazaotrense,
Cynanchum anderssonii,
Cynanchum andringitrense,
Cynanchum angavokeliense,
Cynanchum ansamalense,
Cynanchum anthonyanum,
Cynanchum antsiranense,
Cynanchum appendiculatopsis,
Cynanchum appendiculatum,
Cynanchum arenarium,
Cynanchum auriculatum,
Cynanchum balense,
Cynanchum baronii,
Cynanchum batangense,
Cynanchum beatricis,
Cynanchum bernardii,
Cynanchum bicampanulatum,
Cynanchum bifidum,
Cynanchum bisinuatum,
Cynanchum blandum,
Cynanchum blyttioides,
Cynanchum bonariense,
Cynanchum bosseri,
Cynanchum boudieri,
Cynanchum boveanum,
Cynanchum bowmanii,
Cynanchum brasiliense,
Cynanchum brevicoronatum,
Cynanchum bricenoi,
Cynanchum bulligerum,
Cynanchum bungei,
Cynanchum callialatum,
Cynanchum carautanum,
Cynanchum caudigerum,
Cynanchum celebicum,
Cynanchum chanchanense,
Cynanchum chinense,
Species in the Apocynaceae family
Acokanthera laevigata,
Acokanthera oblongifolia,
Acokanthera oppositifolia,
Acokanthera rotundata,
Acokanthera schimperi,
Adenium boehmianum,
Adenium multiflorum,
Adenium obesum,
Adenium oleifolium,
Adenium swazicum,
Adenium dhofarense,
Aganosma breviloba,
Aganosma cymosa,
Aganosma gracilis,
Aganosma lacei,
Aganosma petelotii,
Aganosma schlechteriana,
Aganosma siamensis,
Aganosma wallichii,
Aganosma heynei,
Alafia alba,
Alafia barteri,
Alafia benthamii,
Alafia berrieri,
Alafia calophylla,
Alafia caudata,
Alafia erythrophthalma,
Alafia falcata,
Alafia fuscata,
Alafia insularis,
Alafia intermedia,
Alafia landolphioides,
Alafia lucida,
Alafia microstylis,
Alafia multiflora,
Alafia nigrescens,
Alafia orientalis,
Alafia parciflora,
Alafia pauciflora,
Alafia perrieri,
Alafia schumannii,
Alafia thouarsii,
Alafia vallium,
Alafia verschuereni,
Alafia whytei,
Alafia zambesiaca,
Allamanda calcicola,
Allamanda angustifolia,
Allamanda blanchetii,
Allamanda cathartica,
References
Hai Dao Zhang: Based on occurrence of standard abbreviation 'H.D.Zhang' in the authors string.