English: Five-leaf ginseng; Poor man's ginseng; Miracle grass; Fairy herb; Sweet tea vine; Gospel herb; Southern ginseng.
Chinese: Jiaogulan (= Twisting blue plant)
Clades:
Cucurbitaceae.
Genus: 17 species
Region: South and East Asia, China, India, Bangladesh, Japan, Korea, New Guinea.
Habitat: forests, thickets, roadsides, mountain slopes; elevations of 300–3200 m; temperate climates; well-drained soil; full sun; intolerant of frost.
Content: saponins, gypenosides; triterpenols.
Use: herbal tea; medicinal in Chinese traditional medicine.
BotanyHerb; dioecious; perennial; climbing vine, supporting by tendrils.
Leaves: serrated leaflets, five, sometimes three or seven leaflets.
Fruit: small, purple, gourd; inedible.