Saruma

Saruma is a monotypic genus in the family Aristolochiaceae (birthwort family). The sole species in the genus is Saruma henryi.

Saruma henryi is a perennial herbaceous plant native to central China, specifically found in damp, shaded areas within forests. It is characterized by its heart-shaped leaves and distinctive flowers. The flowers are usually solitary or in small clusters, and they have a unique, almost translucent quality. The plant typically blooms in the spring.

Saruma henryi is of interest to botanists due to its unique phylogenetic position within the Aristolochiaceae family and its relative rarity in the wild. Studies have been conducted on its morphology, genetics, and chemical constituents. It is occasionally cultivated as an ornamental plant in gardens, valued for its attractive foliage and unusual flowers.

The name Saruma is believed to be derived from a local Chinese name for the plant. The species name, henryi, honors Augustine Henry, an Irish botanist who collected extensively in China.