山蒟 shan ju

Chavica leptostachya Hance, J. Bot. 6: 301. 1868, not Piper leptostachyon Nuttall (1822); P. matthewii Dunn.

Climbers to more than 10 m, glabrous except for rachis and bases of bracts, dioecious. Stems rooting at nodes, finely striated. Petiole 5-12 mm; prophyll ca. 1/2 as long as petiole; leaf blade ovate-lanceolate or elliptic, rarely lanceolate, 6-12 × 2.5-4.5 cm, papery to ± leathery, base gradually tapered or cuneate, sometimes rounded, symmetric or nearly so, apex acute or acuminate; veins 5(-7), apical pair arising 1-3 cm above base, alternate, nearly reaching leaf apex; reticulate veins usually conspicuous. Spikes leaf-opposed. Male spikes yellow, 6-10 cm × ca. 2 mm; peduncle ca. as long as petioles or slightly longer; rachis pubescent; bracts suborbicular, ca. 0.8 mm wide, peltate, adaxially pilose, ± sessile to shortly stalked. Stamens 2. Female spikes ca. 3 cm, longer in fruit; bracts as in male spikes but petioles slightly longer. Ovary subglobose, distinct; stigmas (3 or )4. Drupe yellow, globose, 2.5-3 mm in diam. Fl. Mar-Aug.

* Forests, on trees or rocks; near sea level to 1700 m. Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, S Guizhou, S Hunan, SE Yunnan, Zhejiang

Used medicinally.