Hypserpa nitida Miers ex Benth., Hooker's J. Bot. Kew Gard. Misc. 3: 258 (1851)

Synonyms
Cocculus cuspidatus Wall.
Hypserpa borneensis (Miq.) Becc.
Hypserpa cuspidata (Hook. f. & Thomson) Miers
Hypserpa heteromera Miers in Ann.
Hypserpa jagorii Diels
Hypserpa laevifolia Diels
Hypserpa nandinifolia Yamamoto
Hypserpa praevaricata MIERS in Ann.
Hypserpa propensa Miers in Ann.
Hypserpa triflora (non (DC.) Miers) Miers in Ann.
Limacia borneensis Miq. in Ann.
Limacia cuspidata Hook. f. & Thomson
Limacia microphylla Miq.
Phytocrene loheri Merr.

Description
Woody vines. Branchlets sparsely to densely pubescent with yellowish hairs when young, glabrescent. Petiole 1-2 cm, pubescent or subglabrescent; leaf blade ovate, ovate-elliptic to oblong-elliptic, rarely elliptic or broadly elliptic, 4-10(-12) x 1.5-5(-7) cm, papery to leathery, both surfaces usually glabrous, rarely pubescent along nerves, adaxially glossy, base rounded to broadly cuneate, apex acuminate, mucronate, or slightly obtuse with a finely mucronate acumen, palmately 3-veined. Male inflorescences usually only few flowered, cymose to paniculate, 1-2 cm, rarely longer and more flowered, pubescent. Male flowers: sepals 7-11, outer sepals minute and bracteolelike, 0.5-0.8 mm, puberulent outside, innermost 4 or 5 broadly obovate or ovate to ovate-rotund, 1.5-2.5 mm, ciliate; petals 4 or 5, subobovate, 1-1.2 mm; stamens 5-10, free above or connate only at base, 1-1.5 mm. Female flowers: sepals and petals as in male; carpels 2; ovary semiglobose or subelliptic, 0.8-1 mm, glabrous. Drupes subglobose, slightly compressed, yellow or orangish red when mature; endocarp obovate, 5-6 mm. [from Flora of China]

Ecology
Forests and forest margins, up to 2000 m elevation.

Uses
The roots contain the alkaloids limacine and fanchinoline, which are used medicinally. Roots used as medicine.

Distribution
From India and Sri Lanka into southern China and Hainan, down into Indochina, Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Borneo, Java, Philippines, Sulawesi and Halmahera (Moluccas).

Local names
China: ye hua teng.
India: Niri wel.