Oriental Bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus, 南蛇藤).
Different parts of this woody vine have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for a long time in the treatment a wide variety of inflammatory and other diseases. It sometimes grows in the shade on Yuelu Mountain but more often in spots where the canopy allows more light. Its bark can grow quite thick and is a distinctive reddish brown though this time of year it is also easy to spot by its crackling red fruit.
Sunday 21 January 2024
Oriental Bittersweet
Labels:
Plants,
Plants of Hunan