Sinomenium acutum

Sinomenium acutum or Tsuzurafuji (scientific name: Sinomenium acutum) is native to Japan, Taiwan and China, and is a deciduous vine of the family Menispermaceae. It grows naturally in the forest edge of the mountains from the Kanto region to Shikoku and Kyushu. They extend the left-handed thick vine about 10m. In summer, the conical inflorescences are stretched from the branches and leaves, and white flowers bloom. Spherical dark blue fruits are formed in the fall and are very poisonous and cannot be eaten. The stem and rhizome are the ingredients of the herbal medicine “Boui”.

Common name: Sinomenium acutum or Tsuzurafuji, scientific name: Sinomenium acutum, vine length: 10 m, Phyllotaxis: alternate, Petiole: Yes, Leaf length: 6-15 cm, Leaf shape: Various, Flowering period: June to July, Inflorescence shape: Cone, Inflorescence length: 15 cm, Number of petals: 6, Number of sepals: 6, Flower diameter : 0.4 cm, flower color: white, fruit type: drupe, fruit shape: sphere, drupe diameter: 0.6-0.7 cm, fruit color: dark blue, caution: toxic plant.