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Atractylodes macrocephala - Koidz.

Common Name Bai Zhu
Family Asteraceae or Compositae
USDA hardiness 5-9
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Pastures and waste ground[238]. Grassland and forests at elevations of 600 - 2800 metres[266].
Range E. Asia - China, Japan and Korea.
Edibility Rating    (0 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
Atractylodes macrocephala Bai Zhu


http://photozou.jp/photo/show/110033/26530920
Atractylodes macrocephala Bai Zhu

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Atractylodes macrocephala is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in) by 0.4 m (1ft 4in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It is in flower from July to August, and the seeds ripen from August to September. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). .
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

Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

None known

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.
Antibacterial  Diuretic  Sedative  Stomachic  Tonic

Bai Zhu is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine[238]. The root contains an essential oil, glucoside and inulin[283]. It is a bitter-sweet tonic herb that acts mainly upon the digestive system and strengthens the spleen[238, 254]. The root is antibacterial, diuretic, hypoglycaemic, sedative, stomachic and tonic[176, 238]. It is used in the treatment of poor appetite, dyspepsia, abdominal distension, chronic diarrhoea, oedema and spontaneous sweating[176]. It is often used in conjunction with other herbs such as Codonopsis tangshen and Glycyrrhiza uralensis[238]. Combined with Baical skullcap (Scutellaria baicalensis) it is used to prevent miscarriage[254]. The roots are harvested in the autumn and baked for use in tonics[238].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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FOOD FOREST PLANTS

Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Succeeds in any well-drained soil in sun or partial shade[238]. This species is probably hardy in most of Britain, it tolerates temperatures down to at least -15°c[238]. Widely cultivated in China for its use as a medicinal herb[238, 266]. This species is dioecious. Both male and female plants need to be grown if seed is required[266].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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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.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

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
Atractylodes japonicaJapanese AtractylodesPerennial0.8 -  LMHSNM23 
Atractylodes lanceaCang ZhuPerennial1.0 -  LMHSNM13 

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.

 

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Expert comment

Author

Koidz.

Botanical References

238266

Links / References

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

Readers comment

Simon Williams   Tue Apr 7 2009

. THank you for the great site. I am in Australia and would love to find Bai Zhu seeds/plants. AQIS treats Atractylodes as a potential weed so can not be officially imported. Thank you, Simon

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Subject : Atractylodes macrocephala  
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