Gynostemma pentaphyllum
| Gynostemma pentaphyllum | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Rosids |
| Order: | Cucurbitales |
| Family: | Cucurbitaceae |
| Subfamily: | Nhandiroboideae (syn. Zanonioideae) |
| Tribe: | Zanonieae |
| Subtribe: | Gomphogyninae |
| Genus: | Gynostemma |
| Species: | G. pentaphyllum |
| Binomial name | |
|
Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Thunb.) Makino 1902 |
|
Gynostemma pentaphyllum, also called jiaogulan (Simplified Chinese: , Traditional Chinese: 絞股藍, Pinyin: jiǎogǔlán), literally "stranded blue plant", is a dioecious, herbaceous climbing vine of the family Cucurbitaceae (cucumber or gourd family) indigenous to the southern reaches of China, northern Vietnam, southern Korea, and Japan. Jiaogulan is best known as an herbal medicine reputed to have powerful antioxidant and adaptogenic effects purported to increase longevity. Pharmacological research has indicated a number of therapeutic qualities of jiaogulan, such as lowering cholesterol and high blood pressure, and strengthening immunity.
Jiaogulan belongs to the genus Gynostemma, in the family Cucurbitaceae, which includes cucumbers, gourds, and melons. Its fruit is a small purple inedible gourd. It is a climbing vine, attaching itself to supports using tendrils. The serrated leaflets commonly grow in groups of five (as in G. pentaphyllum) although some species can have groups of three or seven leaflets. The plant is dioecious, meaning each plant exists either as male or female. Therefore, if seeds are desired, both a male and female plant must be grown.
...
Wikipedia