Stemona acuta C. H. Wright.

Vines. Roots 9--13(--30) × 1--2 cm. Stems often branched, base woody. Leaves opposite or whorled, rarely alternate; petiole 3--10 cm; leaf blade ovate to ovate-lanceolate, 6--24 × (2--)5--17 cm, membranous, veins 7--13, base cordate, margin slightly undulate, apex acuminate. Inflorescences racemes, 1--3-flowered; peduncle or pedicel axillary or rarely borne on petiole, 2.5--5(--12) cm; bracts lanceolate, 5--10 mm. Perianth segments greenish with purplish veins, 3.5--7.5 × 0.7--1 cm, apex acuminate. Stamens purple, slightly shorter than perianth; filaments stout, 2--5 mm; anthers linear, ca. 10 mm; appendages partially adherent, adaxial one ca. 5 mm. Capsule ovoid-oblong, 2.5--6 × 1--3 cm. Seeds several. Fl. Apr--Jul.

The roots are used medicinally.

Forest margins, thickets, mountain slopes, trail sides; 300--2300 m. Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hainan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi, Sichuan, Taiwan, Yunnan [Bangladesh, Cambodia, NE India, Laos, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam].