Pinellia pedatisecta
Hu Zhang
Taxonomy and growth
Uses
Toxicity
Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.
Although we have no record of toxicity for this species, all parts of the plant probably contain calcium oxylate. This is toxic and if consumed makes the mouth and digestive tract feel as though hundreds of needles are being stuck into it[K]. However, calcium oxylate is easily destroyed by thoroughly cooking or drying the plant[3].
Medicinal uses
Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.
The poisonous tubers are used as a medicine for the treatment of enlargement of the lymph node and urinary tract infections[10]. The following notes for P. ternata almost certainly also apply to this species[8]. The root is antiemetic, antiphlogistic, expectorant, febrifuge, sialagogue, styptic. Strengthens the spleen[2][4][5][6]. Modern research has shown that this remedy is very effective in controlling nausea and vomiting[9]. It is also an ingredient of a Chinese prescription for removing gallstones without surgery, a process that usually causes severe nausea[9]. The root is also used internally in the treatment of coughs with thin watery phlegm and gastritis[9]. The fresh root is extremely acrid and contains toxins, these are neutralized upon drying or by soaking in tea or vinegar[9]. The root is harvested in the summer and dried for later use, it should not be used fresh[4][9]. Extracts of the plant have been shown to have analgesic, antiemetic, anticancer and sedative activity[8].
- Product or use
- Antiemetic
- Product or use
- Antiphlogistic
- Product or use
- Cancer
- Product or use
- Expectorant
- Product or use
- Febrifuge
- Product or use
- Sialagogue
- Product or use
- Styptic
Environment
- Range
- E. Asia - N. and W. China
- Habitat
- Forests, in valleys or shady places below elevations of 1000 metres[10].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 6+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
Seed - we have no information but suggest sowing the seed in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe if this is possible otherwise in early spring. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division as new growth begins in spring. Bulbils from the leaf axils.
Cultivation
Easily grown in a rich soil, it requires plenty of water in the growing season[1]. Succeeds in full sun or partial shade[7]. Plants can be naturalized in woodland[1]. Plants produce bulbils in their leaf axils[7].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
? A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press ISBN 0-914294-92-X
Schofield. J. J. Discovering Wild Plants - Alaska, W. Canada and the Northwest.
Kariyone. T. Atlas of Medicinal Plants.
Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles 1985-00-00
Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre
Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7
Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4
Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31
Flora of China 1994-00-00 http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/