The Chinese medicinal herb Zhujiecao has developed roots and stems and is resistant to infertile soil, making it an excellent plant for water and soil conservation. It is particularly suitable for roadside planting and for use in water and soil conservation lawns. It also has great medicinal value. Let's take a closer look with the editor-in-chief!
Image of Zhujiecao
Zhujiecao is a perennial herbaceous plant. The stems are weak and creeping, with roots growing from the nodes, or semi-climbing.
The leaves are lanceolate or ovate, 3-7 cm long and 1-1.5 cm wide, with short or gradually pointed tips. They can be smooth or covered with soft hairs.
The sheaths often have small red spots, and the sheath mouths have eyelashes.
The inflorescence is in a spicate raceme, with eggs-shaped leaf-like bracts. It is folded, 1.5-2.5 cm long, with short or gradually pointed tips, rounded or heart-shaped base, smooth or hairy, with longitudinal lines and indistinct transverse lines. The peduncle is 1-3 cm long.
The umbel inflorescence has 2 flowers in one bract, with 1-3 flowers in the lower part that do not bear fruit, and 1-2 flowers in the upper part that bear fruit.
There are 3 sepals and 3 petals, with blue or one pale white petal on the outside. There are 3 developed stamens and 3 degenerated stamens.
The ovary has 3 chambers, with 2 chambers containing 2 ovules and the dorsal chamber containing 1 ovule. It forms a capsule after pollination.
The seeds are black with reticulate patterns and deep pits. It blooms in summer and autumn.
1. Stir-fried Zhujiecao
Clean the Zhujiecao and wash it with water. Blanch it in boiling water and then remove and set it aside.
Heat oil in a pan and stir-fry scallions, ginger, and garlic. Add the Zhujiecao and stir-fry until it softens. Then add an appropriate amount of salt, chicken essence, etc., and stir-fry evenly before serving.
2. Zhujiecao Porridge
This is also a common way to cook Zhujiecao. Clean the Zhujiecao and blanch it in boiling water. Remove and drain the water, then cut it into small pieces.
Heat oil in a pan and stir-fry the Zhujiecao. Add an appropriate amount of salt and other seasonings and stir well. Remove from the heat.
Wash the rice and add it to a pot. Cook until it boils, then add the stir-fried Zhujiecao and stir well. Simmer over low heat for half an hour before serving.
