The stone silkworm, also known as stone lotus root and true golden grass, is used to nourish yin and moisten the lungs, clear heat and cool the blood. It is used to treat pulmonary tuberculosis with hemoptysis, neurasthenia, and loss of appetite. What are the specific characteristics of this plant and how is it used?
Image of the stone silkworm
Characteristics of the Stone Silkworm Plant
The plant grows to a height of 10-25 centimeters. The rhizome is elongated, creeping, and segmented. The stem is erect, with 2-4 leaves near the base.
The leaves are ovate or ovate-oblong in shape, thick and fleshy when fresh, measuring 3-7 centimeters in length and 1.7-3 centimeters in width. The apex is acute or shortly pointed. The upper surface is blackish-green, with 5 shiny golden-red veins. The lower surface is pale red and has a petiole.
The petiole is 1.5-2.2 centimeters long, with the lower part enlarged into a sheath that embraces the stem. There are 2-3 pale red sheath-like bracts above the leaves.
The inflorescence is terminal, with several to more than 10 flowers, measuring 3-8 centimeters in length. The axis of the inflorescence is covered in short soft hairs.
The bracts are ovate or ovate-lanceolate, pale red, membranous, measuring about 1.5 centimeters in length, gradually pointed at the apex, and with fine marginal hairs.
The ovary is cylindrical and twisted, covered in short soft hairs, with a pedicel measuring 1.5-2 centimeters in length.
The flowers are white or pale red, with a diameter of about 7 millimeters. The sepals are ovate-elliptic, concave and boat-shaped, measuring 8-9 millimeters in length and 4.5-5 millimeters in width, fused with the petals to form a hood-like structure.
The lateral sepals are obliquely ovate or nearly elliptic, measuring 9-10 millimeters in length and 4.5-5 millimeters in width. The anterior end of the back is slightly raised with short keel-like projections.
Image of the stone silkworm
The petals are nearly semi-ovate, measuring 8-9 millimeters in length and 2-2.2 millimeters in width, with a blunt apex.
The labellum is 9-10 millimeters long, fused with the lower half of the column into a tube, with a pouch at the base. The upper part is usually twisted, slightly enlarged in the middle, 2 millimeters wide, and enlarged at the top into a rectangular shape, measuring 5-6 millimeters in width.
The pouch at the base of the labellum is shallowly divided into 2 lobes, with 2 fleshy calluses inside. The column is about 5 millimeters long, becoming narrower at the lower part and enlarged at the top. There is one stigma located below the anther. The flowering period is from February to April.
Growth Environment of the Stone Silkworm
It is found in Guangdong, Hong Kong, Hainan, Guangxi, and southern Yunnan.
It grows in shady and humid places under evergreen broad-leaved forests on slopes or valleys at an altitude of 900-1300 meters.
It is also distributed in Myanmar, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Natuna Islands in Oceania.
Usage of the Stone Silkworm
It is used to nourish yin and moisten the lungs, clear heat and cool the blood. It is used to treat pulmonary tuberculosis with hemoptysis, neurasthenia, and loss of appetite.
Dosage: Internally: Decoction, 1-3 qian (3-5 qian for fresh product).
