Rhizome terete, 5-14 mm thick. Stem arching, 20-50(-100) cm, glabrous, angled. Leaves 7-12, alternate; petiole short; leaf blade abaxially glaucous, elliptic to ovate-oblong, 5-12(-20) × 3-6(-8) cm, often smooth, sometimes papillose-scabrous on veins, apex acuminate and obtuse tipped. Inflorescences 1-4(-8)-flowered; peduncle usually 1-1.5 cm; bracts small or absent. Flowers pendulous; pedicel 5-10(-20) mm; perianth yellowish green to white, cylindric to campanulate-cylindric, 1.3-2(-2.5) cm; lobes ca. 3 mm; filaments filiform, smooth or verruculose; anthers ca. 4 mm; ovary 3-4 mm; style 1-1.4 cm, included. Berries blue-black, 7-10(-12) mm in diam., 7-9-seeded.

Antiperiodic, antitussive, cardiotonic, demulcent, diuretic, energizer, hypoglycaemic, ophthalmic, resolvent, sedative and tonic (root); diuretic and stimulant (infusion of roots)

Flora of China
Plants For A Future

The roots are used in the treatment of, dry throat, dry coughs and coronary heart disease. It can also be applied externally as a poultice to treat bruises, small wounds etc. It has also been used to remove freckles

Should not be used internally except under expert supervision.