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Herpetospermum pedunculosum - (Ser.)Baill.

Author	(Ser.)Baill.	Botanical references	266, 272
Family	Cucurbitaceae	Genus	Herpetospermum
Synonyms	Bryonia pedunculosa - Ser.
Known Hazards	None known
Range	E. Asia - Himalayas to China and Tibet.
Habitat	Forest edges, especially along trails at elevations of 1000 - 3000 metres in Nepal[272]. Thickets and forest sides on mountain slopes at elevations of 2300 - 2500 metres in Tibet[266].
Edibility Rating	1 (1-5)	Medicinal Rating	2 (1-5)

Physical Characteristics

Annual Climber growing to 2m.

The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It requires moist soil.

Habitats

Woodland Garden; Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Seed.

Seed - fried and then eaten[272].

Medicinal Uses

Antiinflammatory; Cholagogue; Febrifuge.

The seeds are used in Tibetan medicine, where they are considered to have a bitter taste and a cooling potency[241]. Anti-inflammatory, cholagogue, choleretic and febrifuge, they are used in the treatment of piles, inflammation of the stomach and the intestines[241]. The pounded root is used to treat problems of the bile ducts[272].

Other Uses

None known

Cultivation details

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain. However, judging by its native range, it could succeed outdoors at least in the milder areas of the country. Judging by its native habitat, it is likely to prefer growing along a warm sunny woodland border in Britain[K]. 241077

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse or cold frame for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in early summer and consider giving them some winter protection for at least their first winter outdoors - a simple pane of glass is usually sufficient[K].

Links

Permaculture.info Details of this plant in the Permaculture.info project, a community plant and permaculture database.

References

[K] Ken Fern
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.

[241] Tsarong. Tsewang. J. Tibetan Medicinal Plants Tibetan Medical Publications, India 1994 ISBN 81-900489-0-2
A nice little pocket guide to the subject with photographs of 95 species and brief comments on their uses.

[266] Flora of China 1994
On-line version of the Flora - an excellent resource giving basic info on habitat and some uses.

[272] Manandhar. N. P. Plants and People of Nepal Timber Press. Oregon. 2002 ISBN 0-88192-527-6
Excellent book, covering over 1,500 species of useful plants from Nepal together with information on the geography and peoples of Nepal. Good descriptions of the plants with terse notes on their uses.

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