The Chinese herb "Suigu Zi" has the effect of clearing heat. It can be used to relieve symptoms such as thirst, toothache, and acne on the face. Do you know the original plant form of Suigu Zi?
Image of Suigu Zi
1. Dian Zhu Ye (Bambusa Multiplex)
Dian Zhu Ye is a perennial herb, 40-90cm tall. It has a short, thick, and hard rhizome. The fibrous roots are sparse, and the near apex or middle part often thickens into a spindle-shaped tuber. The stem is weak and partially lignified.
The leaves are opposite, broadly lanceolate, 5-20cm long, 1.5-3cm wide, gradually pointed or shortly pointed at the apex, entire margin, with a near circular or variably shaped base narrowing into a petiole-like or sessile base. There are multiple parallel veins and obvious transverse veins, forming a small rectangular pattern. Both sides of the leaves are smooth or have small prickly hairs. The leaf sheath has a smooth margin or fine hairs. The ligule is small, hard, 0.5-1mm long, and has hairy edges.
The inflorescence is a terminal spike, 10-30cm long, with fewer branches, sparse, ascending or spreading. The spikelets are linear-lanceolate, 7-12mm long (including short awns), 1.5-2.5mm wide, with stout pedicels about 1mm long. The glumes are elongated oval, with five veins, blunt at the apex, and thin membranous margins. The first glume is shorter than the second glume. The outer glume is longer than the inner glume, needle-shaped, 6-7mm long, about 3mm wide, with a short pointed tip and 5-7 veins. The inner glume is shorter than the outer glume, with transparent membranous texture. The caryopsis is spindle-shaped and dark brown. It flowers from June to September and fruits from August to October.
Image of Suigu Zi
2. Zhonghua Dian Zhu Ye (Bambusa tuldoides)
This species has a similar appearance to Dian Zhu Ye. The difference is that the leaves of Zhonghua Dian Zhu Ye can reach a width of 4cm.
The inflorescence has shorter branches, 3-8cm long. The spikelets are broadly lanceolate, 7-9cm long, 2.5-3mm wide. The glumes are broadly ovate, with 5-7 veins. The first outer lemma is about 6mm long and 5mm wide, with 7 veins and a short awn of less than 1mm at the apex. It flowers from August to September and fruits from September to October.
