蒟子 ju zi

Subshrubs erect, 1-3 m high, dioecious. Stems finely ridged, pubescent. Petiole 0.8-1.4 cm, pubescent, sheathed at base only; leaf blade usually ovate, those at apex of stem elliptic, 10-15 × 6-10 cm, thinly papery, abaxially densely glandular with hispidulous veins, adaxially glabrous, base obliquely cordate, usually oblique in leaf blades toward apex of stem, apex acute; veins 9, apical pair arising 1.2-3 cm above base, alternate, others basal; reticulate veins conspicuous Spikes leaf-opposed. Male spikes 4-6 cm; peduncle slightly longer than petioles, pubescent; bracts orbicular, ca. 1.1 mm wide, peltate, stalk short. Stamens 3; filaments thick, much shorter than anthers; anthers ovoid. Female spikes 4-8 cm, 4-6 mm thick in fruit; bracts 0.8-1 mm in diam. Ovary partly immersed in rachis; stigmas 3, caducous. Drupe red when ripe, globose, ca. 2 mm in diam., tuberculate, partly connate to rachis. Fl. Apr-Jun.

* Forests or wet places; 1100-2000 m. NW, S, and SW Yunnan

Used medicinally.