Eleutherococcus trifoliatus (L.) S.Y.Hu

Scandent shrub, c. 2-8 m, with broadly based recurved prickles sparsely disposed on the branches, usually below the nodes; buds with small brown cataphylls. Leaves disposed along the branchlets; petiole up to c. 5 cm, flattened above, with a slightly dilated base, glabrous, usually with a few prickles; leaflets (1-)3(-5); petiolules up to 8 mm, articulated with the petiole, channelled above; blade up to 3.5 by 2.25 cm, broadly ovate to subro-tund, apex acute, base cuneate, margins serrate, chartaceous, glabrous, lateral veins conspicuous on both surfaces, pinnate, reticulation inconspicuous. Inflorescence terminating the main or lateral branches, a sessile compound umbel; primary rays c. 4-5, or rarely solitary, slender or the central ray stronger (the laterals sometimes apparently male), with minute furfuraceous bracts at their bases, occasionally with a few prickles, glabrous, c. 3-6 cm long; secondary rays (pedicels) numerous, slender, c. 1-1¾ cm. Calyx a rim with 5 minute teeth. Petals 5, ligulate, c. 2 mm long. Stamens 5, filaments c. 2 mm. Ovary turbinate, c. 1.5 mm high, 2-celled; styles 2, connate to about the middle. Fruit a spheroidal drupe, c. 5 mm ø when dry, crowned by the persistent bifid style; endocarp chartaceous. Endosperm surface slightly undulate.

Scrub fields, roadsides, forest margins, in valleys or on mountain slopes; at elevations up to 1,000 metres in the east of its range, to 3,200 metres in the west. Mountainous areas in Vietnam, occasionally on the edges of forests.

The young shoots are eaten as a side dish or cooked in curry. They are also used in stir fried dishes. The roots are cooked and eaten. The leaves are used as a vegetable.

Can be grown by cuttings or seedlings.