Shieldleaf Berry, also known as Dali Xia, Huang Pao, and Niunaimu, is the fruit of the Rosaceae plant Rubus peltatus. It is usually harvested in the summer and autumn when the fruits are ripe, and then dried in the sun or soaked in boiling water before being dried completely. So where exactly can Shieldleaf Berry be found, and what are its specific characteristics and applications? Let's find out together with the editor!
Shieldleaf Berry
Shieldleaf Berry
Alias: Tian Qing Di Bai Niu, Da Ye Fu Pen Zi.
Excerpt from: "National Compendium of Chinese Herbal Medicine".
Source: Rubus peltatus Maxim. of the Rosaceae family, the fruit is used medicinally.
Taste: Salty, sour; warm.
Meridian Tropism: Kidney meridian.
Collection and Storage: Harvest the ripe fruits in summer and autumn, dry them directly in the sun, or soak them in boiling water and then dry them completely.
Morphological Features of Shieldleaf Berry
Morphological Features of Shieldleaf Berry
Shieldleaf Berry is an erect or climbing shrub, reaching a height of 1-2 meters. The branches are reddish-brown or brown, without hairs, and sparsely covered with prickles. The small branches are often covered with a white powder. The leaf blades are shield-shaped, ovate-round, 7-17 cm long, and 6-15 cm wide. The base is heart-shaped, and both sides are covered with appressed soft hairs. The underside is denser with hairs and small prickles along the midrib. The margin is 3-5 palmately divided, with triangular-ovate lobes that are acute or shortly acuminate, with irregular fine serrations. The petiole is 4-8 cm long, hairless, and with small prickles. The stipules are large, membranous, ovate-lanceolate, 1-1.5 cm long, and hairless. The solitary flowers are terminal, with a diameter of about 5 cm or larger. The pedicel is 2.5-4.5 cm long, hairless. The bracts are similar to the stipules. The hypanthium is often hairless. The sepals are ovate-lanceolate, with soft hairs on both sides and often toothed on the edges. The petals are nearly circular, with a diameter of 1.8-2.5 cm, white, longer than the sepals. There are numerous stamens, with filaments being lanceolate or linear. There are many pistils, up to 100, covered with soft hairs. The fruit is cylindrical or tubular, 3-4.5 cm long, orange-red, and densely covered with soft hairs. The seed has wrinkles. The flowering period is from April to May, and the fruiting period is from June to July.
Distribution of Shieldleaf Berry Habitat
Shieldleaf Berry Image
Ecological Environment: It grows on slopes, foothills, valleys, forest edges, or damp places at an altitude of 300-1500 meters.
Resource Distribution: It is distributed in Jiangxi, Anhui, Zhejiang, Hubei, Sichuan, and Guizhou.
Functions and Indications of Shieldleaf Berry
Functions: Strengthening the waist and kidneys, dispelling wind and relieving pain. It is used for joint pain in the limbs and soreness in the waist and spine.
Usage and Dosage: Oral administration: decocted in water, 2-3 liang.
Taste: Salty, sour; warm.
