Skunkvine
Paederia foetida
Synonyms: Paederia chinensis f. microphylla, Gentiana scandens, Paederia scandens var. velutina, Paederia foetida f. microphylla, Paederia scandens f. mairei, Paederia tomentosa f. tenuissima, Paederia laxiflora, Paederia corymbosa, Paederia scandens f. rubescens, Hondbesseion tomentosum, Paederia chinensis f. tenuissima, Paederia scandens var. longituba, Paederia chinensis, Paederia tomentosa var. glabra, Hondbesseion foetidum, Paederia uraiensis, Paederia villosa, Paederia dunniana, Paederia prainii, Paederia scandens var. villosa, Paederia scandens var. angustifolia, Paederia tomentosa, Paederia scandens var. maritima, Apocynum foetidum, Paederia scandens f. rubrae-stellaris, Paederia chinensis var. angustifolia, Paederia barbulata, Paederia scandens var. mairei, Reussia sarmentosa, Paederia chinensis var. megaphylla, Paederia amboinensis, Paederia chinensis var. maritima, Paederia scandens var. tomentosa, Paederia esquirolii, Paederia scaberula, Paederia longituba, Paederia sessiliflora, Paederia tomentosa var. mairei, Paederia scandens f. megaphylla, Paederia scandens f. microphylla, Paederia stenophylla, Paederia magnifolia, Paederia foetida var. sessiliflora, Paederia mairei, Paederia ovata, Paederia chinensis var. velutina, Psychotria volubilis, Paederia scandens
Western Herbalism Properties
Gallery
Botanical Description
Paederia foetida, the skunkvine or sewer-vine, is a perennial twining herbaceous to slightly woody vine of the family Rubiaceae native to temperate and tropical Asia. Its slender stems climb to 7 m or more through surrounding vegetation and bear opposite, ovate to lanceolate leaves 3-11 cm long with entire margins, long petioles and conspicuous interpetiolar stipules. When the foliage or stems are bruised they release a strongly disagreeable sulphurous odour, produced principally by dimethyl disulphide and other volatile sulphur compounds. Small tubular flowers, greyish-pink to lilac on the outside and deep purple or wine-red within the throat, are arranged in axillary and terminal cymes from summer into autumn, followed by shiny, globose yellow-brown fruits containing two flattened seeds. Widely naturalised in the Pacific and parts of the Americas, it has become an invasive weed in the southeastern United States.
Cultural & Historical Context
Traditional American Uses
None Documented
Chemistry & External Identifiers
Important Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.