Hong Teng

Sargentodoxa cuneata (Oliv.) Rehder & E.H.Wilson (Lardizabalaceae), the monotypic Sargent's gloryvine, is a large deciduous woody liana native to central and southern China and northern Vietnam, climbing 5-12 m through forest canopies on hill slopes between 200 and 1500 m elevation. The stem when cut reveals a striking radial pattern of red-brown wedge-shaped rays alternating with paler areas, the basis of the common name "red vine." Leaves are alternate and trifoliate, with a long-petioled ovate central leaflet up to 12 cm long and asymmetric lateral leaflets. The dioecious flowers are pendulous in axillary racemes 7-12 cm long, greenish-yellow with six tepals, blooming in spring. Fruit consists of numerous fleshy blue-black to purple berries borne on a thickened receptacle. In TCM, the stem (Caulis Sargentodoxae) clears heat, resolves toxins, dispels blood stasis, alleviates pain, and expels parasites; it is a principal herb for intestinal abscess and appendicitis.