蕊木 rui mu

Kopsia lancibracteolata Merrill; K. officinalis Tsiang & P. T. Li.

Trees to 15 m tall. Branches greenish, terete, slightly compressed, puberulent when young. Petiole 5-15 cm; leaf blade elliptic, narrowly elliptic, or narrowly ovate, 8-24 X 3.5-8.5 cm, glabrous, apex acute or short acuminate; lateral veins 10-20 pairs. Cymes corymbose, many flowered; peduncle to 14 cm, puberulent or glabrous; bracteoles narrowly oblong, puberulent or glabrous. Pedicel 3-4 mm. Sepals narrowly oblong, 4-6 mm, puberulent or glabrous. Corolla white, tube ca. 2.5 cm; lobes narrowly oblong, 1.5-2 cm. Disc scales narrowly oblong, longer than ovary, fleshy. Ovary ovoid, puberulent. Drupes black or blue-black, ellipsoid, 2.5-3.5 X 1.5-2 cm. Fl. Apr-Sep, fr. Jul-Dec. 2n = 72.

Montane forests, often along moist ravines; 400-1000 m. S Guangdong, SE Guangxi, Hainan, S Yunnan [Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam; N Australia].

A decoction of bark is used as an enema. The leaves and fruit are used to treat sore throat and tonsillitis.