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Polygala tenuifolia - Willd.

Common Name Yuan Zhi
Family Polygalaceae
USDA hardiness 5-9
Known Hazards Although no specific mention has been seen for this species, at least one member of this genus is said to be poisonous in large quantities.
Habitats Hillsides, roadsides and meadows[147]. Dry meadows and stony slopes[238].
Range E. Asia - Korea, Mongolia, Manchuria.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (3 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Polygala tenuifolia Yuan Zhi


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Polygala tenuifolia Yuan Zhi

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Polygala tenuifolia is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.2 m (0ft 8in) by 0.2 m (0ft 8in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs).
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves  Root
Edible Uses:

Young leaves - cooked[105, 177, 179]. Root - cooked[105, 177]. The core is removed and the root is boiled in several changes of water[179].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Cardiotonic  Expectorant  Haemolytic  Kidney  Sedative  Tonic

Yuan Zhi contains triterpenoid saponins, these promote the clearing of phlegm from the bronchial tubes. The plant is used mainly as an expectorant and stimulant to treat bronchial asthma, chronic bronchitis and whooping cough[254]. The root is antibacterial, cardiotonic, cerebrotonic, expectorant, haemolytic, hypotensive, sedative and tonic[116, 147, 176, 218]. It acts mainly as a tonic for the heart and kidney energies[238]. It is taken internally in the treatment of coughs with profuse phlegm, bronchitis, insomnia, palpitations, poor memory, anxiety, depression and nervous tension[238]. Externally it is used to treat boils and carbuncles[147, 238]. The root is harvested in the autumn and dried for later use[238]. The leaves are used as a tonic for the kidneys[218].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Prefers a moderately fertile moisture-retentive well-drained soil, succeeding in full sun if the soil remains moist throughout the growing season, otherwise it is best in semi-shade[200, 238]. Dislikes shade according to another report. Plants are hardy to at least -15°c[238].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

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The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant Propagation

Seed - sow spring or autumn in a cold frame[214]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division. Cuttings of young shoots in a frame in late spring[1].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Russian Federation (Buryatia, Gorno-Altay, Tyva, Respublika, Krasnoyarsk (south), Chita, Irkutsk), Mongolia, Russian Federation (Amur, Primorye), China (Gansu Sheng, Hebei Sheng, Heilongjiang Sheng, Henan Sheng, Jiangxi Sheng, Liaoning Sheng, Nei Mongol Zizhiqu, Ningxia Huizi Zizhiqu, Qinghai Sheng, Shaanxi Sheng, Shanxi Sheng, Sichuan Sheng), Korea

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Polygala amaraBitter MilkwortPerennial0.2 5-9  LMHSNM01 
Polygala japonica Perennial0.3 -  LMHSNM12 
Polygala reinii Perennial0.3 -  LMHSNM01 
Polygala senegaSenega Snake RootPerennial0.3 -  LMHSNDM03 
Polygala sibiricaYuan ZhiPerennial0.2 -  LMHSNDM13 
Polygala theezans Perennial0.0 -  LMHSNM10 
Polygala vulgarisMilkwort, Common milkwortPerennial0.4 5-9  LMHSNM12 
Securidaca longipedunculataViolet TreeTree6.0 10-12  LMHSNM143

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

Willd.

Botanical References

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

   Fri Jul 22 11:58:23 2005

Link: Lao Dan

Roger Thomas   Wed Jul 27 09:11:32 2005

During my psychology studies I recently read neuroscience articles providing evidence that extracts from this herb stimulate the brains astrocyte cells to release nerve growth factor, NGF, a chemical that stimulates synapse growth. One clinical study had shown improvements in the symptoms of Parkinson's sufferers. They believe that this herb may be beneficial in the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders.

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