Stone Silkworm, also known as Stone Lotus and True Gold Grass. It is a perennial upright herb, growing to a height of 50-125 centimeters. The lower stem is hairless, while the upper stem has downward-facing hairs on its edges and nodes. What are the geographical distribution and medicinal value of Stone Silkworm? What does it look like in pictures? Let's find out together with the editor!
Picture of Stone Silkworm
Plant Morphology of Stone Silkworm
It is a perennial upright herb, growing to a height of 50-125 centimeters. The lower stem is hairless, while the upper stem has downward-facing hairs on its edges and nodes.
The leaves are ovate-elliptic, measuring 2-11.5 centimeters in length and 1-5.5 centimeters in width. Both sides of the leaves have short hairs along the veins. The petiole is as long as or slightly shorter than the leaf blade.
The spike-like inflorescence is hairless. The bracts are linear-lanceolate. The corolla is white or pale red, with the corolla tube accounting for 1/4 of the total length and no hairy ring inside. The aggregated nutlets on the fruiting spikelet exceed half of the fruit size. The flowering and fruiting period is from July to October.
Geographical Distribution of Stone Silkworm
It is found in the areas of Zhenjiang and Changshu, growing near water, mountains, and fields. It is distributed in Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Hunan, Sichuan, Guizhou, and Guangdong. The whole plant is used as medicine to treat external wind-cold injuries.
It grows on damp stone surfaces near high mountain water bodies.
Medicinal Value of Stone Silkworm
Picture of Stone Silkworm
Characteristics of Medicinal Material
The whole plant is 10-20 centimeters long. The rhizome elongates and resembles a silkworm, with a fleshy texture and a diameter of about 3 millimeters. The surface is grayish-yellow with longitudinal wrinkles, and the nodes are distinct. Residual membranous or dried leaf sheaths can be seen.
The roots are short and slightly stout, covered with fine and dense hair-like root hairs.
The leaves are opposite, papery, often curled, and become ovate-elliptic in shape when flattened. They are 2-5 centimeters long and 1-2 centimeters wide, grayish-green or dark red in color. The leaf stalk extends into a membranous sheath that clasps the stem. It has a slight aroma and a mild, slightly astringent taste.
Nature and Flavor
Sweet in taste, cool in nature
Meridian Tropism
Lung and spleen meridians
Functions and Indications
Nourishes yin and moistens the lungs, cools the blood and stops bleeding. Used for pulmonary tuberculosis with hemoptysis and neurasthenia.
Dosage and Administration
Internal administration: Decoction, 1-3 qian (3-5 qian for fresh products).
