Stemona

This genus of 25 species of perennial climbers occurs throughout Indo-Malaysia to E Asia and tropical Australia. Most species contain alkaloids and a number are effective insecticides. According to a 19th-century gardening manual, Stemona tuberosa was introduced in 1803 from the East Indies; it has large, attractive but fetid flowers and is seldom seen in cultivation today. Stemona tuberosa was first mentioned in Chinese medical literature in the Collection of Commentaries on the Classic of Materia Medica (Ben Cao Jing Ji Zhu) by Tao Hong-Jing in 500CE. Stemona japonica and S. sessifolia are used interchangeably as the drug bai bu. In Cambodia, the tubers are used to make insectidal sprays for pepper plantations.

Slender evergreen climbing perennial with a cluster of spindle-shaped tuberous roots and pointed, ovate-cordate leaves, 10-15cm (4-6in) long, which have conspicuous veins. Bell-shaped, light purple flowers are produced singly or in pairs in the axils in spring, followed by capsules, 2.5cm (1in) long, containing 4 seeds.

Common Name:	Stemona
Botanical Name:	Stemona tuberosa syn. Roxburghia gloriosa
Genus:	Stemona
Family:	Stemonaceae
Native Location:	India, China, Indochina and N mainland Malaysia.
Cultivation:	Light, well-drained soil in sun or partial shade. Cut back in early spring to restrict growth.
Propagation:	By seed sown in autumn; by semi-ripe cuttings in spring; by division when dormant.
Harvest:	Tubers are lifted during dormancy, scalded in boiling water, and sun-dried for decoctions.
Height:	5-10m (15-30ft)
Hardiness:	Min. 15-18°C (59-64°F)
Parts Used:	Tubers (bai bu)
Properties:	A bitter-sweet, cooling herb that lubricates the lungs, controls coughing, destroys parasites, and is anti-bacterial and anti-fungal.
Medicinal Uses:	Internally for bronchitis, dry cough, tuberculosis, whooping cough, amebic dysentery, and pinworms. Baked with honey for coughs. Externally for lice, fleas, and ringworm. Used fresh to make insecticidal washes and sprays.
Bibliography:	Encyclopedia of Herbs by Deni Brown Copyright © 1995, 2001 Dorling Kindersley Limited Pg 375