18 
BULLETIN 6 0, HAWAII EXPERIMENT STATION 
Matrimoxy-vine {Lnjcium chmeiise). (Fig. 16) 
Chinese name : Kau-kei 
Japanese name : Kuko 
Leaf: Smooth, dark or bright green ; ovate to lanceolate ; 1 to 1% inches long ; 
one-half to 1 inch wide. 
Petiole: One-fourth to one-half inch long. 
Stem: Coarse, angled, yellowish gray, with single spine at each node. 
Matrimony- vine is a native of eastern Asia. The plant has pros- 
trate branches, is spiny, and grows 3 to 6 feet high. The flowers 
are crepelike, purplish, and produce small orange-colored berries. 
i ft 
it 
Figure 15. — Malabar nightshade 
The leaves constitute the edible portion of the vegetable. Matri- 
mony-vine is found periodically on the market in bunches about 20 
inches long and 6 inches wide. 
To prepare for soup. — Wash 1 bunch matrimony vine thoroughly 
by dipping it vigorously in running water, then carefully strip each 
leaf from the thorny stems. Mix y 2 pound finely sliced lean pork 
with 1 teaspoon cornstarch and a little soy sauce. Season with 
pepper. Wash 2 tablespoons dried, small shelled shrimp and boil 
10 minutes in iy 2 quarts of water and add the pork mixture to the 
shrimp, then add the vegetable and 1 partly beaten egg. Boil until 
the leaves are tender. Season with salt and serve. 
