| English Name | Love Apple |
|---|---|
| Status in China | Vulnerable (VU) |
Description:
Perennial herbs, 40-130 cm tall, with rhizomes. Leaves 5-10(-11) in a terminal whorl; leaf blade usually oblong or lanceolate, 6-15 cm long. Peduncle 5-25 cm long. Flowers bisexual, solitary, terminal. Tepals 6, in 2 whorls, inner ones shorter than the outer ones, usually yellow green, narrowly linear. Stamens (6-)8-12 or more; filaments 5-6 mm long; anther 1-1.2 cm long, free portion of connective 0.5-2 mm long. Capsule globose. Seeds enveloped by red succulent aril.
Distribution:
Tai Mo Shan, Sunset Peak, Mount Parker. SE, S to SW China; India to Indochina.
Habitat and Ecology:
In forest and shaded wet places of valleys.
This species is an important folk medicinal herb; its rhizomes are used for injuries from falls, fractures, contusions and strains. The characteristic terminal leafy-whorl makes it very suitable for cultivation as an ornamental plant. Despite a wide distribution range of this species, individuals are scarce in number. It is threatened by habitat destruction and over collection. In Hong Kong, most localities of its occurrence are within Country Parks, so habitats of the plants are under protection. Ex-situ conservation measures could be adopted.
References:
莊兆祥、李甯漢(主編), 1978: 香港中草藥1: 184-185。商務印書館，香港。
Liang, S. Y. 2000: Flora of China 24: 90-91. Science Press, Beijing & Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis.
Bentham, G., 1861: Flora Hongkongensis 281. Reeves, London.
