Description from Flora of China
Aspidopterys glabriuscula A. Jussieu var. brevicuspis Niedenzu.
Lianoid shrubs; branchlets brown, sparsely pubescent. Petiole 7-10 mm, pubescent; leaf blade elliptic or ovate-elliptic, 7-11 × 4-6.5 cm, thinly papery, both surfaces glabrous, slightly shiny, midrib abaxially and lateral veins adnate pubescent, base rounded or slightly cordate, apex shortly acute-acuminate; lateral veins 4 or 5 pairs, arcuate. Panicles terminal or axillary, typically up to 30 × 15 cm, ferruginous pubescent; bracteoles linear-lanceolate, ca. 1.5 mm, densely ferruginous pubescent; pedicels fasciculate, slender, ca. 8 mm, articulate proximally, ferruginous pubescent under articulation, glabrous above articulation. Sepals elliptic-ovate, ca. 1 mm, apex rounded, glabrous. Petals elliptic-obovate, 3.5-4 mm, glabrous. Stamen filaments glabrous; anthers ca. 0.5 mm. Ovary glabrous; stigma capitate. Samara yellow-brown, oblong or oblong-lanceolate, 3.5-5 × ca. 1.5 × 1.5-2.3 cm, membranous, with distinct reticulate veins, base truncate-rounded, apex gradually attenuate; fruit stalk 1.5-2 cm. Fl. Jul-Aug, fr. Sep-Oct.
● Sparse hill forests, shrub forests; 1400-1700 m. SE Yunnan.