台湾菱叶常春藤 tai wan ling ye chang chun teng

Hedera formosana Nakai, J. Arnold Arbor. 5: 25. 1924.

Shrubs scandent. Young branches sparsely stellate pubescent. Petiole to ca. 5 cm, stout. Leaves dimorphic, those on sterile branches usually 3-5-lobed, those on fertile branches ovate or ovate-lanceolate, blade stellate pubescent, venation raised abaxially, impressed adaxially in dry material, base cuneate, margin entire, apex acute to acuminate. Inflorescence a terminal umbel or corymb, stellate pubescent; primary axis to ca. 5 cm. Calyx ca. 1 mm, minutely 5-lobed. Petals 5, 2-2.5 mm. Ovary 5-carpellate. Fruit black at maturity, globose, 8-10 mm in diam. Fl. Sep-Nov, fr. Nov-May.

● Forests in valleys; 800-2500 m. Taiwan.

This taxon is used medicinally and as an ornamental.

Hedera rhombea var. rhombea is native to Japan and Korea.