变色白前 bian se bai qian

Cynanchum mandshuricum (Hance) Hemsley; Vincetoxicum mandshuricum Hance; V. versicolor (Bunge) Decaisne.

Plants tomentose or pubescent throughout. Stems to 2 m, lower part erect with larger and broader leaves, upper fertile part twining with smaller and narrower leaves. Petiole 3-15 mm; lower leaf blades broadly ovate or elliptic, 7-10 × 3-6 cm, papery, base rounded or subcordate, ciliate; lateral veins 6-8 pairs. Inflorescences umbel-like, up to 12-flowered; peduncle 0-10 mm, tomentose. Pedicel 3-5 mm. Sepals linear-lanceolate, 2-3 × ca. 0.5 mm; basal glands 5. Corolla yellow-white to dark purple, rotate to campanulate; tube ca. 0.5 mm; lobes ovate-triangular, ca. 2.5 × 2 mm, pubescent. Corona shorter than gynostegium; lobes triangular, fleshy, somewhat laterally compressed, adnate to anthers. Anthers rhomboid, appendages rounded; pollinia ellipsoid. Stigma head slightly convex. Follicles broadly lanceolate in outline, 4-5 cm × 8-10 mm. Seeds ovate, ca. 5 × 3 mm; coma ca. 2 cm. Fl. May-Aug, fr. Jul-Nov. 2n = 22*.

* Thickets, riversides; 0-800 m. Hebei, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jilin, Liaoning, Shandong, Sichuan, Zhejiang

The roots and rhizomes are used as diuretic and for the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis, edema, and gonorrhea.