Tan Cao, also known as inverted grass or chicken tancao, looks somewhat similar to mugwort. People often confuse these two plants, and the pollen of Tan Cao contains allergenic substances that can harm human health. Today, TCM will teach you how to distinguish Tan Cao. Let's take a look together!
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Distinguishing True and False Tan Cao
1. Appearance
Tan Cao looks similar to mugwort, but the difference is that the back of mugwort leaves has a gray-white short hair, and the leaves of Tan Cao are dark green on the top and light green on the back, with short rough hair on both sides.
2. Odor
Mugwort leaves have a distinct and strong aroma, while Tan Cao has a repulsive fishy smell.
Distribution of Tan Cao
Originally from North America, it has become a roadside weed in the Yangtze River Basin of China.
Widely distributed in most parts of the world, known distribution countries and regions include:
Asia: Myanmar, Malaysia, Vietnam, India, Pakistan, Philippines, Japan, China.
Africa: Egypt, Mauritius; Europe: France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Sweden, Hungary, former Soviet Union.
America: Canada, United States, Mexico, Cuba, Jamaica, Guatemala, Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, Peru, Chile, Brazil.
Oceania: Australia.
Distribution in China: Liaoning, Jilin, Heilongjiang, Hebei, Shandong, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Anhui, Hunan, Hubei.
Serious outbreaks have occurred in cities such as Shenyang, Tieling, Dandong, Nanjing, Nanchang, Wuhan, forming the centers of occurrence, spread, and proliferation in Shenyang-Tieling-Dandong and Nanjing-Wuhan-Nanchang.
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The Harm of Tan Cao
1. Ecological Destruction
It can become a dominant species one year after invading bare land. Due to its strong vitality, it can cover and suppress native plants, causing damage to the original ecosystem and reducing agricultural output.
It consumes the water and nutrients in the soil, causing significant agricultural losses. The spread of Tan Cao can devour large areas of land, causing crop abandonment and posing a major threat to the ecological environment.
The potential harm of Tan Cao is quite serious, especially in extensive agricultural areas.
Tan Cao can mix with all dryland crops, especially intercropped crops such as corn, soybeans, sunflowers, hemp, and flax. It can cause large-scale weed infestation, leading to crop failure.
2. Pollen Allergy
The direct harm of Tan Cao to the human body is the pollen it releases after flowering. The grass's pollen contains water-soluble proteins that can quickly cause allergic reactions upon contact with humans.
It is the main pathogen of autumn pollen allergies and can cause the harmful "hay fever" syndrome.
Mild cases can cause coughing and asthma; in severe cases, it can lead to emphysema, and infections can recur and worsen every year.
Tan Cao Image
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