Gymnema napalense Wallich, Tent. Fl. Napal. 50, tab. 38. 1826.

Lianas to 8 m. Stems glabrous, with regularly and longitudinally striated bark when older. Petiole 1-3 cm; leaf blade oblong-lanceolate, oblong-oblanceolate, elliptic, elliptic-oblong, or ovate, 6-14 × 2-8 cm, papery, glabrous, base rounded, truncate or subcordate, apex short acuminate; lateral veins 5-7 pairs, tertiary veins drying dark in young leaves, pale and raised in old leaves. Cymes to 16 cm; peduncle to 8 cm, initially with (2 or) 3 main branches, these usually irregularly forked, with umbel-like to short racemelike cymules, pubescent; bracteoles subtending pedicels few, minute, linear, ca. 1 mm. Pedicel 3-6 mm. Sepals 1.5-2 mm, ovate, sometimes pubescent. Corolla yellowish, ca. 4 mm; tube as long as sepals; lobes ovate-triangular, externally glabrous or margin sparsely pubescent. Corona lobes semicircular. Anther appendages as long as stigma head. Follicles oblong-lanceolate in outline, 4.5-8 cm × 5-7 mm, glabrous. Seeds ovate, ca. 4 × 1.5 mm; coma ca. 2.5 cm. Fl. Jun-Sep.

Decoction of all parts is used for the treatment of leucorrhea, blennorrhea, and traumatic injury. Fine strong fibers, obtained from the inner bark, are used in making ropes, sacks, and paper.

Moist forests, bushland; 500-1500 m. Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hainan, Xizang, Yunnan [India, Laos, Nepal, Sikkim]