We are following the treatment of Christenhusz M.J.M., An Overview of Lardizabalaceae, Curtis's Botanical Magazine, Vol 29, Issue 3 September 2012 pp 235-267, who treats the genus Holboellia as being synonymous with Stauntonia. This treatment has not been fully accepted as of 2019 and many publications, such as the flora of China[] still accept the genus Holboellia, treating this taxon as Holboellia coriacea Diels.

Common Name: Sausage Vine

General Information

Stauntonia coriacea is an evergreen climbing shrub growing up to 7 metres tall. The twining stems scramble over the ground, climbing into the surrounding vegetation for support[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and medicine. It is sometimes cultivated for medicinal use[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Asia - southeast China.

Habitat

Mixed forests, mountain slopes, among shrubs and along trailsides; at elevations from 500 - 2,000 metres[]. Rocky places in thickets[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Evergreen Climber
Height	7.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Flies, Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Stauntonia coriacea is native to the warm temperate and subtropical regions of southern and eastern China. It is moderately cold tolerant, being able to tolerate temperatures down to about -15°c for short periods[], though it can be damaged by prolonged periods below -5°c[].
Easily grown in any fertile soil in sun or part shade[, ]. Plants grow best on a shady wall or when grown into a tree[]. They succeed in sun or deep shade, but fruits are much more likely to be produced when the plants are grown in a sunny position[, ].
Plants often do not fruit freely in cultivationy[]. Hand pollination would probably help[, ], the fruits are also more likely to form in hot summers[].
Species in this genus are usually monoecious, though there are instances of plants only bearing flowers of one sex (dioecious)[].
The flowers are sweetly and heavily scented. The males are produced on the previous years wood whilst females are produced on the current years wood[].
Plants are fast growing[] and climb by means of twining[].
This species is closely related to Stauntonia latifolia[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw[, ]. Sweet but insipid[, ]. Used to make a wine[]. The purple, oblong fruit is about 5 - 6cm long and 3cm wide, containing several ellipsoid seeds around 8mm x 5 - 6mm, embedded in a white pulp[, ].

Medicinal

The roots and stems are used in the treatment of arthritis and rheumatism[, ].

The plant contains several triterpenoid saponins, which are believed to be mainly responsible for the plants medicinal properties[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - we have no details on this species but suggest sowing the seed as soon as it is ripe if this is possible, otherwise as soon as you obtain it, in a warm greenhouse. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Cuttings of softwood[].
Cuttings of half-ripe wood in late summer or autumn[].
Layering.