白薇 bai wei

Alexitoxicon atratum (Bunge) Pobedimova; Antitoxicum atratum (Bunge) Pobedimova; Cynanchum multinerve (Franchet & Savatier) Matusma; Vincetoxicum atratum (Bunge) Morren & Decaisne; V. multinerve Franchet & Savatier.

Herbs, most parts densely pubescent to tomentose. Roots fibrous, fragrant. Stems erect, to 50 cm, sometimes ± inflated. Leaves opposite; petiole ca. 5 mm; leaf blade ovate or ovate-oblong, 5-8(-12) × 3-4(-7) cm, papery, base rounded or sometimes obscurely cordate, apex acute or acuminate; lateral veins 6 or 7 pairs. Inflorescences umbel-like, sessile, 8-10-flowered. Pedicel ca. 1.5 cm. Sepals lanceolate, ca. 3 mm, ciliate, pubescent; basal glands 5. Corolla deep purple, rotate, 1-1.2(-2.2) cm in diam., pubescent outside, glabrous inside; lobes ovate-triangular, 4-7 × 3-3.7 mm, ciliate. Corona deeply 5-lobed; lobes as long as gynostegium, apex rounded, adnate to anthers. Anther appendages rounded; pollinia oblong-ellipsoid. Stigma head depressed. Follicles fusiform to lanceolate in outline, 5.5-11 × 0.5-1.5 cm, base obtuse, apex attenuate, not ridged. Seeds light brown, 4-6 × 3-4 mm; coma 3-4.5 cm. Fl. Apr-Aug, fr. Jun-Oct. 2n = 22*.

Grasslands, riversides, drylands; 100-2000 m. Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hebei, Heilongjiang, Henan, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Jilin, Liaoning, Nei Mongol, Shaanxi, Shandong, Shanxi, Sichuan, Yunnan [Japan, Korea, E Russia]

The roots are used medicinally for urinary tract infection, gonorrhea, nephritis, edema, bronchitis, and rheumatic arthralgia.