title: Metaplexis
text: # Metaplexis
  
  Metaplexis is a genus of flowering plants in the family Apocynaceae, first described as a genus in 1810. As presently conceived, it contains two known species, both native to east Asia.
  
  ## Description
  
  Metaplexis plants are vines that reach 8 m high; are rhizomatous and have underground woody organs that constitute a pattern. Leaf-blades are herbaceous, about 5–10 cm long and 4.6 cm wide, ovate, basally cordate, acute apex attenuated, adaxial glabrous and are abaxially sparsely pubescent.
  
  The inflorescences are extra-axillary, solitary, almost as long as the adjacent leaves. The plants have 6-20 flowers, simple, with the peduncle longer than the pedicels which are practically obsolete and slightly pubescent on the whole surface.
  
  ### Species
  
  * Metaplexis hemsleyana Oliv. - China (Guangxi, Guizhou, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi, Shaanxi, Sichuan, Yunnan)
  * Metaplexis japonica Makino - widespread across much of China; also Korea, Japan, Russian Far East
  
  ### formerly included
  
  * Metaplexis cavaleriei, syn of Marsdenia cavaleriei
  * Metaplexis fimbriata, syn of Matelea cumanensis
  