We have recently published ‘Food Forest Plants for Hotter Conditions’: i.e. tropical and sub-tropical regions. We rely on regular donations to keep our free database going and help fund development of this and another book we are planning on food forest plants for Mediterranean climates. Please give what you can to keep PFAF properly funded. More >>>

Follow Us:

 

Aristolochia debilis - Siebold.&Zucc.

Common Name Ma Dou Ling
Family Aristolochiaceae
USDA hardiness 7-10
Known Hazards We have no specific details for this species but most members of this genus have poisonous roots and stems[179]. The plant contains aristolochic acid, this has received rather mixed reports on its toxicity. According to one report aristolochic acid stimulates white blood cell activity and speeds the healing of wounds, but is also carcinogenic and damaging to the kidneys[254]. Another report says that it is an active antitumour agent but is too toxic for clinical use[218]. Another report says that aristolochic acid has anti-cancer properties and can be used in conjunction with chemotherapy and radiotherapy and that it also increases the cellular immunity and phagocytosis function of the phagocytic cells[176].
Habitats Roadside thickets and meadows in lowland, C. and S. Japan and in China[58, 109].
Range E. Asia - China, Japan
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (3 of 5)
Care (info)
Frost Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Aristolochia debilis Ma Dou Ling


Aristolochia debilis Ma Dou Ling

 

Translate this page:

Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Aristolochia debilis is a PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in) by 1 m (3ft 3in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. It is in flower from July to August, and the seeds ripen from September to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Flies.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

A. recurvilabra. Hance.

Plant Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves
Edible Uses:

Leaves - cooked[177, 179]. It is said that the leaves of this species are not poisonous[179] but caution is advised.

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Alterative  Anodyne  Antibacterial  Antifungal  Antiinflammatory  Antitussive  Carminative  Cytotoxic  
Diuretic  Expectorant  Hypotensive  Stomachic  Tonic

Alterative, antibacterial, antifungal, diuretic[178]. Stimulates energy circulation[147]. The fruit and its capsule are antiasthmatic, antiseptic, antitussive and expectorant[176, 218]. It is used internally in the treatment of asthma and various other chest complaints, haemorrhoids and hypertension[238]. The root is anodyne and anti-inflammatory[238]. It is used internally in the treatment of snakebite, gastric disorders involving bloating, and is clinically effective against hypertension[218]. It is harvested in the autumn and dried for later use[238]. The whole plant is antitussive, carminative, stimulant and tonic[218]. The root contains aristolochic acid. This has anti-cancer properties and can be used in conjunction with chemotherapy and radiotherapy[176]. Aristolochic acid can also be used in the treatment of acute and serious infections such as TB, hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and infantile pneumonia[176]. It also increases the cellular immunity and phagocytosis function of the phagocytic cells[176]. Aristolochic acid is said to be too toxic for clinical use[218].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

The Bookshop: Edible Plant Books

Our Latest books on Perennial Plants For Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens in paperback or digital formats.

Food Forest Plants for Hotter Conditions: 250+ Plants For Tropical Food Forests & Permaculture Gardens.
Edible Tropical Plants

Food Forest Plants for Hotter Conditions: 250+ Plants For Tropical Food Forests & Permaculture Gardens.

More
Plants for Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests & Permaculture Gardens.
Edible Temperate Plants

Plants for Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests & Permaculture Gardens.

More
PFAF have eight books available in paperback and digital media.
More Books

PFAF have eight books available in paperback and digital formats. Browse the shop for more information.

Shop Now

Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Prefers a well-drained loamy soil, rich in organic matter, in sun or semi-shade[134, 200]. Succeeds in ordinary garden soil[134]. This species is not very hardy in Britain, tolerating temperatures down to about -5°c[238]. Most species in this genus have malodorous flowers that are pollinated by flies[200].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

image

The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

Shop Now

Plant Propagation

Seed - best sown in a greenhouse as soon as it is ripe in the autumn. Pre-soak stored seed for 48 hours in hand-hot water and surface sow in a greenhouse[134]. Germination usually takes place within 1 - 3 months at 20°c[134]. Stored seed germinates better if it is given 3 months cold stratification at 5°c[200]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant out in late spring or early summer after the last expected frosts. Division in autumn[200]. Root cuttings in winter[200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: China (Anhui Sheng, Zhejiang Sheng, Fujian Sheng, Henan Sheng, Hunan Sheng, Hubei Sheng, Jiangxi Sheng, Jiangsu Sheng, Guangdong Sheng, Guizhou Sheng, Shandong Sheng, Sichuan Sheng, Guangxi Zhuangzu Zizhiqu), Japan (Honshu, Kyushu, Shikoku)

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Aristolochia clematitisBirthwortPerennial0.7 5-9  LMHSNM02 
Aristolochia contortaMa Dou LingPerennial1.5 -  LMHSNM13 
Aristolochia fangchiGuan Fang ChiClimber0.0 -  LMHSNM02 
Aristolochia kaempferi Perennial1.0 -  LMHSNM02 
Aristolochia macrophyllaPipevine, Dutchman's PipeClimber7.0 5-8 FLMHSNDM01 
Aristolochia molissima Climber1.0 -  MSNM02 
Aristolochia reticulataTexas Dutchman's PipePerennial0.4 -  MSNM02 
Aristolochia rotundaSnakerootPerennial0.6 -  MSNM02 
Aristolochia serpentariaVirginia SnakerootPerennial0.5 7-10  LMHSNDM03 
Aristolochia tomentosaDutchman's Pipe, Woolly dutchman's pipePerennial10.0 7-10 FLMHSNDM02 
Asarum arifolium Perennial0.2 6-9  LMHFSM012
Asarum blumei Perennial0.2 6-9  LMHFSM01 
Asarum canadenseSnake Root, Canadian wildginger, Canada Wild Ginger, Wild GingerPerennial0.1 3-9 SLMHFSM333
Asarum caudatumWild Ginger, British Columbia wildgingerPerennial0.1 6-10 FLMHFSM323
Asarum dilatatum Perennial0.0 -  LMHFSM20 
Asarum europaeumAsarabacca, European Wild GingerPerennial0.1 4-8 SLMHFSM023
Asarum forbesiiDu HengPerennial0.2 -  LMHFSM01 
Asarum heterotropoides Perennial0.2 -  LMHFSM02 
Asarum maximum Perennial0.5 6-9  LMHFSM01 
Asarum nipponicum Perennial0.1 -  LMHFSM10 
Asarum reflexum Perennial0.2 5-9  LMHFSM20 
Asarum shuttleworthiiAsarabacca, Mottled Wild GingerPerennial0.1 5-9 FLMHFSM202
Asarum sieboldiiWild GingerPerennial0.2 -  LMHFSM02 
Asarum splendensChinese Wild GingerPerennial0.2 5-9 SLMFSDM303
Asarum takaoi Perennial0.1 -  LMHFSM10 

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

Siebold.&Zucc.

Botanical References

58109266

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

Add a comment

If you have important information about this plant that may help other users please add a comment or link below. Only comments or links that are felt to be directly relevant to a plant will be included. If you think a comment/link or information contained on this page is inaccurate or misleading we would welcome your feedback at [email protected]. If you have questions about a plant please use the Forum on this website as we do not have the resources to answer questions ourselves.

* Please note: the comments by website users are not necessarily those held by PFAF and may give misleading or inaccurate information.

To leave a comment please Register or login here All comments need to be approved so will not appear immediately.

Subject : Aristolochia debilis  
© 2010, Plants For A Future. Plants For A Future is a charitable company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales. Charity No. 1057719, Company No. 3204567.