九節木耐陰性極強,喜歡溫暖多濕、陽光不強的環境,是臺灣闊葉林中普遍可見的野生植物,又名「山大刀」、「青龍吐霧」。
其枝條具有許多明顯的節,故名九節木。5到6月間於枝頂開白色或淺綠色的小花。根與葉可入藥,有清熱解毒,袪風去濕之效;可用來治感冒、喉痛、跌打損傷等。
九節木的果實近球形,於11到12月間成熟,為紅色或橘紅色,乾時會出現直稜。
Wild Coffee (Jiujiemu) has a very strong shade tolerance, and prefers a warm and wet environment without strong sunlight. It is a wild plant commonly seen in Taiwan's broadleaf forests. It is also known as "Mountain's Big Knife" (Shandadao) or "Green Dragon Throwing Up Fog" (Qinglongtuwu).
The branches and twigs have many nodes (jie), which is the origin of the Chinese name. The blossoms are tiny and white, may have light-green on the top, and flower in May and June. The roots and leaves have medicinal quality, e.g. detoxifying and dehumidifying, and therefore are used to cure the common cold, sour throat, bruises, etc.
The fruit is very round, ripens from November through December, is red or reddish orange, and has edges when dried.