Reed, native to China and Australia, grows in roadside and water-side wetlands. It likes sunlight, warmth, and moisture, is resistant to poor soil, and grows in patches in damp areas. Let's take a look at its specific morphology and habitat distribution with the editor!
Image of Reed
【The original form of Reed】
Reed is an annual herbaceous plant, 1-3m tall. The stem is upright, hollow, and branches frequently, with dense hairs.
The leaves are opposite; leaf stalks are 3-8cm long; the leaf sheath is tubular, membranous in the lower part, brown, and grassy in the upper part, covered with long hairs. The upper part often unfolds into a ring-shaped wing; leaf blades are ovate or broadly ovate, 10-20cm long, 6-12cm wide, gradually pointed at the tip, with a rounded base, entire margins, and sparsely soft hairs on both sides.
The inflorescence is a panicle composed of numerous spikelets, terminal or axillary; bracts are broadly ovate; flowers are pale pink or white; the perianth is deeply divided into 5 elliptical segments; stamens are usually 7, longer than the perianth; the ovary is superior, with 2 styles.
The achene is nearly round, flat, black, and shiny. It flowers from July to August and fruits from August to October.
【Habitat distribution of Reed】
Ecological environment: It grows in roadside and water-side wetlands.
Distribution of resources: It is distributed throughout the country except for the Tibet Autonomous Region.
【Harvesting and storage of Reed】
After the late autumn frost, harvest the stems and leaves, wash them, cut the stems into small sections, and dry them in the sun; place the leaves in a well-ventilated shaded area to dry.
【Pharmacological effects of Reed】
The water-soluble extract of the stem and leaves of the Reed variety has inhibitory effects on frogs and mice, as well as inhibitory effects on the resting hearts of frogs and rabbits, which are not antagonized by atropine. The inhibition of frog hearts can be antagonized by ephedrine and calcium chloride; it has obvious constrictive effects on frog hind limb blood vessels and rabbit ear blood vessels, and can temporarily increase the blood pressure of dogs. It has no effect on isolated rabbit intestines and has an excitatory effect on in situ uterus (anesthetized or non-anesthetized rabbits).
