Byttneria aspera Collebr. ex Wall., Fl. Ind. 2: 383 (1824)

Species name meaning 'rough', referring to the texture of the leaves.

Synonyms
Byttneria grandifolia A.DC.
Byttneria integrifolia Lace
Byttneria nepalensis Turcz.
Byttneria siamensis Craib
Commersonia aspera G.Don

Description
Woody, big lianas. Branchlets sparsely puberulent when young. Petiole 2-8 cm, hairy; leaf blade broadly ovate, cordate, or nearly orbicular, 7-23 x 5.5-16 cm, abaxially white stellate puberulent, adaxially glabrous, basal veins 5, base cordate, margin entire, apex obtuse or acute. Sepals ovate, ca. 2 mm, puberulent, apex acute. Petals yellowish white, and purple-red adaxially, apex 2-lobed, with long ligulate appendix, nearly as long as sepals. Capsule globose or ovoid-globose, 3-4 cm in diam., spiny, spines short and robust, puberulent. Seeds oblong, ca. 12 mm, black when mature. [from Flora of China]

Ecology
Open forests, valley streamsides, up to 1100 m elevation.

Uses
The root extract is taken and a paste of leaves is applied to forehead for the treatment of fever.

Distribution
From India into southern China and Indochina.

Local names
Bangladesh: Nilbhutta (Tanchangya).
China: Ci guo teng.
Vietnam: Bich nu nhon; Trom leo.