络石 luo shi

Rhynchospermum jasminoides Lindley, J. Hort. Soc. London 1: 74. 1846; Trachelospermum adnascens Hance; T. jasminoides var. heterophyllum Tsiang; T. jasminoides var. variegatum W. T. Miller.

Lianas woody, to 10 m. Stem brownish, lenticellate; young branchlets pubescent, glabrous when older. Petiole 3-12 mm long; leaf blade ovate to obovate or narrowly elliptic, 2-10 X 1-4.5 cm, papery, glabrous or sometimes sparsely pubescent abaxially. Cymes paniculate, terminal and axillary; peduncle 2-6 cm, puberulent to glabrous. Sepals narrowly oblong, 2-5 mm, spreading or reflexed, pubescent outside, ciliate, apex obtuse or acute. Corolla white, tube dilated at middle, 5-10 mm, throat glabrous or pilose facing stamens; lobes obovate, as long as tube. Stamens included, inserted at middle of corolla tube; ovary glabrous. Follicles linear, 10-25 cm X 3-10 mm. Seeds oblong, 1.5-2 cm, coma 1.5-4 cm. Fl. Mar-Aug, fr. Jun-Dec. 2n = 20.

Sunny edges of forests, brushwoods; 200-1300 m. Anhui, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hainan, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Shandong, Shanxi, Sichuan, Taiwan, Xizang, Yunnan, Zhejiang [Japan, Korea, Vietnam].

A strong bast fiber obtained from the inner bark is used in making rope, sacks, and paper. The stem is used for the treatment of rheumatism and injury. The flowers yield perfumed oil. The whole plant is poisonous.