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Atractylodes macrocephala
  • Bai Zhu

a perennial member of the Atractylodes genus in the family Compositae.

Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • light shade
    Light shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Acid to Alkaline
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 6
    Zone 6
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Atractylodes macrocephala has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Edible uses

There are no edible uses listed for Atractylodes macrocephala.

Material uses

There are no material uses listed for Atractylodes macrocephala.

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

Bai Zhu is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine[1]. The root is a bitter-sweet tonic herb that acts mainly upon the digestive system and strengthens the spleen[1][2]. The root is antibacterial, diuretic, hypoglycaemic, sedative, stomachic and tonic[3][1]. It is used in the treatment of poor appetite, dyspepsia, abdominal distension, chronic diarrhoea, oedema and spontaneous sweating[3]. It is often used in conjunction with other herbs such as Codonopsis tangshen and Glycyrrhiza uralensis[1]. Combined with Baical skullcap (Scutellaria baicalensis) it is used to prevent miscarriage[2]. The roots are harvested in the autumn and baked for use in tonics[1].

Unknown part

Antibacterial
Diuretic
Sedative
Stomachic
Tonic

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame and only just cover the seed. Prick out the seedlings when they are large enough to handle and plant them out into their permanent positions in the following spring or early summer.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Atractylodes macrocephala. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Succeeds in any well-drained soil in sun or partial shade[1].

This species is probably hardy in most of Britain, it tolerates temperatures down to at least -15°c[1]. Widely cultivated in China for its use as a medicinal herb[1][4].

This species is dioecious. Both male and female plants need to be grown if seed is required[4].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Atractylodes macrocephala. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Atractylodes macrocephala.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Atractylodes macrocephala
Genus
Atractylodes
Family
Compositae
Imported References
Edible uses
Medicinal uses
[1][2][3]
Material uses & Functions
Botanic
[1][4]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
6
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil Water Retention
well drained
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    ?
    Herbaceous or Woody
    ?
    Life Cycle
    perennial
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    0.5 x 0.4 meters
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    ?
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    dioecious











    References

    1. ? 1.01.11.21.31.41.51.61.71.81.9 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.12.2 Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London ISBN 9-780751-303148 (1996-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.13.2 Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles (1985-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.14.2 [Flora of China] (1994-00-00)


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    Facts about "Atractylodes macrocephala"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyCompositae +
    Belongs to genusAtractylodes +
    Has common nameBai Zhu +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has flowers of typeDioecious +
    Has hardiness zone6 +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has mature height0.5 +
    Has mature width0.4 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAntibacterial +, Diuretic +, Sedative +, Stomachic + and Tonic +
    Has search nameatractylodes macrocephala + and x +
    Has shade toleranceLight shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil teclayture preferenceClay +
    Has soil teloamyture preferenceLoamy +
    Has soil tesandyture preferenceSandy +
    Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomy nameAtractylodes macrocephala +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +