✵The article gives records of the herb Pearl, its English name, Latin name, property and flavor, its herbal classic book defined source three animal species, ①.Pteria martensii(Dunker), ②.Hyriopsis cumingii(Lea), ③.Cristaria plicata (Leach)., and other four usable animal species, ④.Pinctada margaritifera (Linnaeus), ⑤.Pinctada maxima (Jameson), ⑥.Pinctada chemnitzi (Philippi), ⑦.Anodonta woodiana (Lea)., with a detailed introduction to the features of these seven animal species, the life habits, and ecological environment of these seven animal species, the features of the herb Pearl, its pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guide.
Margarita(Pearl).
Pin Yin Name: Zhēn Zhū.
English Name: Pearl.
Latin Name: Margarita.
Property and flavor: cold, sweet, salty.
Brief introduction: The herb Margarita is the lustrous concretion found in certain bivalve shell-fish, e.g., Pinctada martensii (Dunker), Hyriopsis cumingii (Lea), Cristaria plicata(Leach)(family Unionidae), used (1).as a settling tranquilizer and anticonvulsive agent for the treatment of convulsion due to high fever or infantile convulsion,(2).externally to hasten the healing of wounds. The herb is commonly known as Margarita, Pearl, Zhēn Zhū.
Source: Common herbal classic book defined the herb Margarita(Pearl) as the lustrous concretion pearl formed by stimulation in a bivalve species (1).Pinctada martensii (Dunker), or (2).Hyriopsis cumingii (Lea), or (3).Cristaria plicata (Leach). Other famous herbal classics defined the herb Margarita(Pearl) as the lustrous concretion pearl formed by stimulation in a bivalve species (1).Pinctada martensii(Dunker), or (2).Hyriopsis cumingii (Lea), or (3).Cristaria plicata(Leach), or (4).Pinctada margaritifera (Linnaeus), or (5).Pinctada maxima (Jameson), or (6).Pinctada chemnitzi (Philippi), or (7).Anodonta woodiana (Lea). They are shellfish of the Pinctada genus, the Pteriidae family (the feather oysters family) of the Anisomyaria order, or shellfish of the Hyriopsis, Cristaria, Anodonta genus, the Unionidae family (freshwater mussels) of the Unionoida order. These 3 herbal classic book defined species and other 4 commonly used species are introduced:
(1).Pinctada martensii (Dunker).
Description: The shellfish is commonly known as Pteria martensii (Dunker), also known as Pteria martensii (Dunker), Mǎ Shì Zhēn Zhū Bèi, Hé Pǔ Zhū Mǔ Bèi, or Zhēn Zhū Bèi. It is a shellfish of the Pinctada genus, the Pteriidae family, the Anisomyaria order. The shell is inclined square, the shell is brittle (crisp), the shell is 50–90 mm long, and 18–32 mm wide, the height is similar to the length, and the height of the larger individual is over 100 mm. The top of the shell is located in the front, and there are ears on both sides. The front ear is slightly smaller than the back ear. The two shells are unequal, the right shell is relatively flat, the left shell is slightly convex, and there is a conspicuous indentation of the byssus under the front ear of the right shell. The dorsal brim is flat and straight; the ventrolateral edge is round, the shell surface is fawn color (flavotestaceous), the concentric annual zone is extremely fine, flaky, thin, and brittle (crisp), and easy to fall off, the middle part of the shell is abrasive, the part near the ventrolateral edge is arranged orderly, extending to tonguelet, the end tip is slightly tilted, byssal foramen is big; the byssssus is trichoid. The nacreous layer in the middle of the shell's inner surface is thick and developed, with a very strong nacreous luster (pearly lustre). After some pallium is stimulated, epithelial tissue multiplies quickly, forms a pearl-sac, and secrete nacre (nacrum) ceaselessly, and gradually forms a pearl. The edge of the shell's inner surface is pale yellow and has no nacreous layer. The hinge line is straight, has a protruding main tooth, and a long dentate sclerite along the hinge line. The ligaments are puce (purplish brown), with prominent marks of the basalar muscle, located below the apex of the shell, the marks of the adductor muscle are big, oblong, slightly pointed at the front end, and slightly near the rear end of the shell center.
Life habit: The shellfish live in tropical, subtropical sea areas. Natural habitat in the water temperature of 10 °C (Celsius, or 50 degrees Fahrenheit), in the inner bay, or offshore seabed. The water depth is generally within 10 meters, and the distribution range is narrow. Adults live all their lives with byssus attached to rocks and boulders. The suitable water temperature range is 10–35 °C (Celsius, or 50–95 degrees Fahrenheit), die at 6–7 °C (Celsius, or 42.8–44.6 degrees Fahrenheit) or 36–40 °C (Celsius, or 96.8–104 degrees Fahrenheit). The range of salinity adaptation is about 16–35. The age of puberty usually starts at 6 months of age, usually male, and then turns female. Generally, females over 4 years old account for the majority, and a few hermaphrodite shellfish also occur. In China, when the water temperature is 25–30 °C (Celsius, or 77–86 degrees Fahrenheit) in summer and autumn, the breeding period is at its peak. Larvae and seedlings feed on microscopic monocellular algae and organic debris. It grows fast, a 1-year-old shell can reach as long as 7 centimeters or so.
Ecological Environment: The shellfish lives in the bay with relatively calm wind and waves, in the seabed with more sediment, rocks, or gravel, and on rocks with sufficient silk, growing better in the sea area with smooth flow and more fertile water. The shellfish grows from near the low water line to about 10 meters of depth, usually more than 5 meters. Diatom is the staple food, the suitable growth temperature is between 15~30 °C (Celsius, or 59~86 degrees Fahrenheit), the spawning period is from May to October, the growth rate is fast, and the general 2-year shell height can reach about 70 mm. The shellfish is distributed in the coastal regions of the Zhujiang River, especially in the Beibu gulfs of China. Hepu of Guangxi has the highest yield of this shellfish.
Characters of herbs: The pearl is in a spherical shape, oblong, oval rod, etc., 1.5–8 mm in diameter. The surface is off-white, pale pink, pale yellow, light blue, translucent, smooth, or slightly concave and convex, with a unique color luster. The texture of the herb is firm and hard, and the broken surface has layers. The herb has a slight odor, it is tasteless, or has a mild taste.
Medicinal efficacy: Calm the nerves (relieve uneasiness of mind and body tranquilization), relieving palpitation and calm the nerves, nourishing Yin and extinguishing wind(relieve dizziness, high fever, infantile convulsions, epilepsy, etc.), clearing heat and promoting expectoration, clear liver and improve vision, improve vision and eliminate nebula, detoxification and promoting granulation(promote tissue regeneration), skin moisturizing and spot removing. It is indicated for palpitation and insomnia, severe palpitation, infantile convulsions and epilepsy, irritability and insomnia (upset, lose sleep), dysphoria with smothery sensation, consumptive thirst (wasting thirst), pharyngitis (throat obstruction), stomatopathy (ulcer of the oral cavity), sore of the mouth and tongue, ulceration and rot of the throat, red eyes and nebula, ulcer and sore do not collect, skin spots, etc.
Administration of Margarita (Zhēn Zhū):
Reference:
Administration Guide of Margarita (Zhēn Zhū)
TCM Books:
①.Internally:0.1~0.3 grams, mostly prepare to pill, powder. Externally:proper amount; ②.Internally:prepare to pill, powder,2~3 fen (about 0.6~0.9 grams). Externally:prepare to finely ground herb powder, sprinkle, eye droppings, blow to the throat; ③.Internally:prepare to finely ground herb powder,0.3~1 grams each time, mostly prepare to pill, powder, not add to water decoction. Externally:proper amount, prepare to finely ground herb powder, sprinkle, eye droppings, blow to the throat.
Contraindications,Precautions and Adverse Reactions: the herb Margarita should be grounded for long time into very fine powder as pollen, if not prepare to finely ground herb powder, it will hurt Zang and Fu viscera. Should forbidden using during pregnancy.
(4).Pinctada margaritifera (Linnaeus).
Description: The shellfish is commonly known as Zhū Mǔ Bèi, or Zhēn Zhū Bèi, or Nacre. It is a shellfish of the Pinctada genus, the Pteriidae family, the Anisomyaria order. Shells are irregularly circular, firm and thick, the general shell is 110~150 mm long, big ones are up to 200 mm long, height is nearly equal to the length, the left shell is slightly protruding and slightly bigger than the right shell, the apex of the shell is located at the front end of the dorsal brim, and bend forward, the apex of the right shell has a sag, is the byssal foramen, the two shell ears are not obvious, shell surface is brown or olive-brown (greenish-brown), the apex of the shell is smooth, sap green (dark green), the rest part is covered with concentric scales, scales extend to the edge of the shell and spine shaped or serrate, middle scales often fall off, most have whitish radial lines. The nacreous layer of the shell's inner surface is thick and has a rainbow shine, the hinge line is straight, and toothless, the ligament is strong, puce (purple-brown), the marks of the basalar muscle are small, and the marks of the adductor muscle is broad and big, oblong, slightly calabash-shaped, the mantle edge is black, the anal membrane has melanin, hypertrophic and wide, with a small protrusion on the top.
Ecological Environment: The shellfish live near the low tide line in the intertidal zone and are fixated in the cracks of rocks or coral reefs with their byssus, and most of them are fixated on the base of rocks against the wind and waves. It is distributed in the coastal regions of Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, and the Xisha Islands of China. It is a good shellfish to cultivate pearls.
(5).Pinctada maxima (Jameson).
Description: The shellfish is commonly known as Dà Zhū Mǔ Bèi, or Pearloyster, Pinctada maxima. It is a shellfish of the Pinctada genus, the Pteriidae family, the Anisomyaria order. The shell is nearly pentagonal, slightly circular, with a solid and thick shell, the shell length of the adult shellfish exceeds 20 cm, the length of the big shellfish is over 30 cm, and the weight is up to 4~5 kg. It is the biggest shellfish among pearl oysters, the shell is slightly flat, the apex of the shell is located at the front end of the dorsal brim, and the anterior ear is small and has no posterior ear. The scales on the shell surface are irregularly arranged, grayish-yellow brown, radial ribs are pale brown, scales of the old shell body often fall off, exposing the nacreous layer (pearly layer), and radial ribs are inconspicuous. The shell's inner surface has a thick silvery nacreous layer, the edges are tawny (yellow-brown). The rear end of the hinge is slightly protruding. The ligament is broad and thick, and there is an indentation after it falls off. The mark of the adductor muscle is broad and big, subreniform, the mark surface is not smooth, and has many cross striations. The anal membrane is liguliform(ligulate), and the end tip is broadly circular.
Distinguishing feature: Pinctada maxima is one of the largest pearl oysters. The shell is large and thick, like a butterfly, the left shell is slightly raised, the right shell is relatively flat, the anterior ear is slightly raised, and the posterior ear disappears into a round blunt shape. The shell surface is brown, the scale layer of the shell apex is close, the back edge of the shell scale layer is distinct, the inside of the shell surface has pearl luster, and the pearl layer is silver-white and thick. The margin is slightly yellow or yellowish-brown, the hinge is thick, and there is an obvious muscle mark on the closed-shell in the middle and later part of the shell's inner surface.
Life habit: Pinctada maxima lives in coral reef, shells, reef sand, gravel, and other geological sea areas. The water depth of the habitat can reach 200 meters, with 20–50 meters as the maximum. The water temperature of the habitat ranges from 15.5–30.3 °C (-5 degrees Celsius, or 59.9–86.54 degrees Fahrenheit), and the optimal water temperature is 24–28 °C (-5 degrees Celsius, or 75.2–82.4 degrees Fahrenheit). When the water temperature drops to 13 °C (-5 degrees Celsius, or 55.4 degrees Fahrenheit), activity stops. Pearl oyster is a filter-feeding shellfish, it mainly eats algae, but also dinoflagellates, ciliates, and so on.
Ecological Environment: The shellfish mostly live in the sea area around 20 meters deep and can be collected at 60 meters deep. It is a tropical, subtropical species on Hainan and Xisha islands. It is also distributed in the countries of Southeast Asia along the coast of Australia and the western Pacific.
(6).Pinctada chemnitzi (Philippi).
Description: The shellfish is commonly known as Cháng ěr Zhū Mǔ Bèi, it is also known as Pinctada epitheca Iredale, Pteria tegulata Zhang et al. It is a shellfish of the Pinctada genus, the Pteriidae family, the Anisomyaria order. The shell is nearly square, the shell length is about 100 mm, the individual is slightly bigger than Pinctada martensii, the apex of the shell is located in the front, has no anterior ear, the posterior ear is longer, forming an aliform protrusion, the right shell is relatively flat, the left shell is slightly convex. The scale layer on the shell surface edge is thin, flaky, and tilted. The shell's inner surface has a silver-white nacreous layer (pearly layer), and the mark of the adductor muscle is long and thin.
Life habit: The shellfish lives in the bay with relatively calm wind and waves, in the seabed with more sediment, rocks, or gravel, and on rocks with sufficient silk, growing better in the sea area with smooth flow and more fertile water. It grows from near the low water line to about 10 meters in depth, usually more than 5 meters. Diatom is the staple food, the suitable growth temperature is between 15-30 °C (degrees Celsius, or 59~86 degrees Fahrenheit), the spawning period is from May to October, the growth rate is fast, the general 2-year shell height can reach about 7 cm. Warm water widely distributed species, more habitat in the warm sea, food more abundant, smooth and calm flow of the gulf. It is distributed vertically from the low tide line to the waters more than 200 meters below the tide line. Attach byssus to rocks, coral reefs, rocks, and shells.
Ecological Environment: The shellfish are distributed in the coastal areas of Guangdong and Guangxi, especially in the beibu gulfs. Hepu in Guangxi has the highest yield, Coastal areas of western Taiwan (Taipei, Penghu, Tainan), Guangdong (Zhapo, Sal Island, Niushi), east-west, and southern coastal areas of Hainan, Guangxi (Dongxing, Weizhou, and Beihai). The subtidal zone extends from the open sea of daya bay, Guangdong to the waters of southeast Hainan and Beibu bay (water depth is about 10~64 meters). It is also distributed in the Malay peninsula, Luzon Island, west to Madagascar, Red Sea, Sri Lanka, Merga Island, and east to Australia.
(2).Hyriopsis cumingii (Lea).
Description: The shellfish is commonly known as Sān Jiǎo Fān Bàng. It is a shellfish of the Hyriopsis genus, the Unionidae of the Unionoida order. The shell is large, flat, chitin is firm and hard, and its shape is slightly triangular. The apex of the left and right shells is tightly connected together, the rear dorsal brim is long, and protruding upward, forming a big triangular veliform hind wing, the front dorsal brim is short and small, showing an angular shape. The ventrolateral edge is nearly linear, slightly arc-shaped. The shell surface is not smooth, and the apex of the shell is carved with a thick and big costa. Growth lines are arranged in concentric rings, wide distance. The shell's inner surface is smooth, and the nacreous layer (pearly layer) is cream white (milky white).
Ecological Environment: The shellfish lives in rivers and lakes with a slightly sandy bottom of light cement. It is distributed in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, northern area, and other areas of China.
(3).Cristaria plicata (Leach).
Description: The shellfish is commonly known as Zhě Wén Guān Bàng. It is a shellfish of the Cristaria genus, the Unionidae of the Eulamellibranchia order. The shell is bigger, and is a slightly scalene triangle. The front dorsal brim crown protrusion is inconspicuous, and the rear dorsal brim stretches upward obliquely and forms a big crown. The posterior back of the crown has a series of progressively thickening longitudinal ribs that extend from the apex of the shell. The ventrolateral edge is nearly linear. The shell surface is dark yellowish green to black-brown, and the apex of the shell is often eroded and loses the color of the surface layer. The nacreous layer (pearly layer) is glossy.
With the clam cultured pearl, high yield, but the operation is not as convenient as the clam, the nacreous layer quality is rough, and the pearl is pale yellow, so the quality of a cultured pearl is not as good as the pearl cultivated by the clam.
Ecological Environment: The shellfish lives in the mud at the bottom of rivers and lakes, moves slowly. It is distributed throughout the country.
(7).Anodonta woodiana (Lea).
Description: The shellfish is commonly known as Bèi Jiǎo Wú Chǐ Bàng, or Sinanodonta woodiana. It is a shellfish of the Anodonta genus, the Unionodae family of the Unionoida order. The shell shape is oval with angular protrusions, the front end is slightly circular, the rear end is beveled, and the ventrolateral edge is arc-shaped. The posterior back has three thick costa shots from the apex of the shell. The shell surface is olive-brown. The marks of the adductor muscle are oblong oval. The nacreous layer of the shell's inner surface is cream-white (milky white).
Ecological Environment: The shellfish live in the mud at the bottom of rivers and lakes. It is distributed throughout the country. This species is a common species in China, it is widely distributed in rivers, lakes, reservoirs, ditches, and ponds. The yield of the pearl is high, but the quality of the pearl from it is inferior to the pearl from Hyriopsis cumingii and Cristaria plicata. Generally, it is only used as a breeding oyster in areas where there is a lack of Hyriopsis cumingii and Cristaria plicata.
✵The article gives records of the herb Pearl, its English name, Latin name, property and flavor, its herbal classic book defined source three animal species, ①.Pteria martensii(Dunker), ②.Hyriopsis cumingii(Lea), ③.Cristaria plicata (Leach)., and other four usable animal species, ④.Pinctada margaritifera (Linnaeus), ⑤.Pinctada maxima (Jameson), ⑥.Pinctada chemnitzi (Philippi), ⑦.Anodonta woodiana (Lea)., with a detailed introduction to the features of these seven animal species, the life habits, and ecological environment of these seven animal species, the features of the herb Pearl, its pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guide.
Pin Yin Name: Zhēn Zhū.
Description: The shellfish is commonly known as Pteria martensii (Dunker), also known as Pteria martensii (Dunker), Mǎ Shì Zhēn Zhū Bèi, Hé Pǔ Zhū Mǔ Bèi, or Zhēn Zhū Bèi. It is a shellfish of the Pinctada genus, the Pteriidae family, the Anisomyaria order. The shell is inclined square, the shell is brittle (crisp), the shell is 50–90 mm long, and 18–32 mm wide, the height is similar to the length, and the height of the larger individual is over 100 mm. The top of the shell is located in the front, and there are ears on both sides. The front ear is slightly smaller than the back ear. The two shells are unequal, the right shell is relatively flat, the left shell is slightly convex, and there is a conspicuous indentation of the byssus under the front ear of the right shell. The dorsal brim is flat and straight; the ventrolateral edge is round, the shell surface is fawn color (flavotestaceous), the concentric annual zone is extremely fine, flaky, thin, and brittle (crisp), and easy to fall off, the middle part of the shell is abrasive, the part near the ventrolateral edge is arranged orderly, extending to tonguelet, the end tip is slightly tilted, byssal foramen is big; the byssssus is trichoid. The nacreous layer in the middle of the shell's inner surface is thick and developed, with a very strong nacreous luster (pearly lustre). After some pallium is stimulated, epithelial tissue multiplies quickly, forms a pearl-sac, and secrete nacre (nacrum) ceaselessly, and gradually forms a pearl. The edge of the shell's inner surface is pale yellow and has no nacreous layer. The hinge line is straight, has a protruding main tooth, and a long dentate sclerite along the hinge line. The ligaments are puce (purplish brown), with prominent marks of the basalar muscle, located below the apex of the shell, the marks of the adductor muscle are big, oblong, slightly pointed at the front end, and slightly near the rear end of the shell center.
Life habit: The shellfish live in tropical, subtropical sea areas. Natural habitat in the water temperature of 10 °C (Celsius, or 50 degrees Fahrenheit), in the inner bay, or offshore seabed. The water depth is generally within 10 meters, and the distribution range is narrow. Adults live all their lives with byssus attached to rocks and boulders. The suitable water temperature range is 10–35 °C (Celsius, or 50–95 degrees Fahrenheit), die at 6–7 °C (Celsius, or 42.8–44.6 degrees Fahrenheit) or 36–40 °C (Celsius, or 96.8–104 degrees Fahrenheit). The range of salinity adaptation is about 16–35. The age of puberty usually starts at 6 months of age, usually male, and then turns female. Generally, females over 4 years old account for the majority, and a few hermaphrodite shellfish also occur. In China, when the water temperature is 25–30 °C (Celsius, or 77–86 degrees Fahrenheit) in summer and autumn, the breeding period is at its peak. Larvae and seedlings feed on microscopic monocellular algae and organic debris. It grows fast, a 1-year-old shell can reach as long as 7 centimeters or so.
Ecological Environment: The shellfish lives in the bay with relatively calm wind and waves, in the seabed with more sediment, rocks, or gravel, and on rocks with sufficient silk, growing better in the sea area with smooth flow and more fertile water. The shellfish grows from near the low water line to about 10 meters of depth, usually more than 5 meters. Diatom is the staple food, the suitable growth temperature is between 15~30 °C (Celsius, or 59~86 degrees Fahrenheit), the spawning period is from May to October, the growth rate is fast, and the general 2-year shell height can reach about 70 mm. The shellfish is distributed in the coastal regions of the Zhujiang River, especially in the Beibu gulfs of China. Hepu of Guangxi has the highest yield of this shellfish.
Characters of herbs: The pearl is in a spherical shape, oblong, oval rod, etc., 1.5–8 mm in diameter. The surface is off-white, pale pink, pale yellow, light blue, translucent, smooth, or slightly concave and convex, with a unique color luster. The texture of the herb is firm and hard, and the broken surface has layers. The herb has a slight odor, it is tasteless, or has a mild taste.
Pharmacological actions: ①.anti-aging effect; ②.antioxidant effect; ③.anti-tumor effect.
Description: The shellfish is commonly known as Zhū Mǔ Bèi, or Zhēn Zhū Bèi, or Nacre. It is a shellfish of the Pinctada genus, the Pteriidae family, the Anisomyaria order. Shells are irregularly circular, firm and thick, the general shell is 110~150 mm long, big ones are up to 200 mm long, height is nearly equal to the length, the left shell is slightly protruding and slightly bigger than the right shell, the apex of the shell is located at the front end of the dorsal brim, and bend forward, the apex of the right shell has a sag, is the byssal foramen, the two shell ears are not obvious, shell surface is brown or olive-brown (greenish-brown), the apex of the shell is smooth, sap green (dark green), the rest part is covered with concentric scales, scales extend to the edge of the shell and spine shaped or serrate, middle scales often fall off, most have whitish radial lines. The nacreous layer of the shell's inner surface is thick and has a rainbow shine, the hinge line is straight, and toothless, the ligament is strong, puce (purple-brown), the marks of the basalar muscle are small, and the marks of the adductor muscle is broad and big, oblong, slightly calabash-shaped, the mantle edge is black, the anal membrane has melanin, hypertrophic and wide, with a small protrusion on the top.
Ecological Environment: The shellfish live near the low tide line in the intertidal zone and are fixated in the cracks of rocks or coral reefs with their byssus, and most of them are fixated on the base of rocks against the wind and waves. It is distributed in the coastal regions of Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, and the Xisha Islands of China. It is a good shellfish to cultivate pearls.
Description: The shellfish is commonly known as Dà Zhū Mǔ Bèi, or Pearloyster, Pinctada maxima. It is a shellfish of the Pinctada genus, the Pteriidae family, the Anisomyaria order. The shell is nearly pentagonal, slightly circular, with a solid and thick shell, the shell length of the adult shellfish exceeds 20 cm, the length of the big shellfish is over 30 cm, and the weight is up to 4~5 kg. It is the biggest shellfish among pearl oysters, the shell is slightly flat, the apex of the shell is located at the front end of the dorsal brim, and the anterior ear is small and has no posterior ear. The scales on the shell surface are irregularly arranged, grayish-yellow brown, radial ribs are pale brown, scales of the old shell body often fall off, exposing the nacreous layer (pearly layer), and radial ribs are inconspicuous. The shell's inner surface has a thick silvery nacreous layer, the edges are tawny (yellow-brown). The rear end of the hinge is slightly protruding. The ligament is broad and thick, and there is an indentation after it falls off. The mark of the adductor muscle is broad and big, subreniform, the mark surface is not smooth, and has many cross striations. The anal membrane is liguliform(ligulate), and the end tip is broadly circular.
Distinguishing feature: Pinctada maxima is one of the largest pearl oysters. The shell is large and thick, like a butterfly, the left shell is slightly raised, the right shell is relatively flat, the anterior ear is slightly raised, and the posterior ear disappears into a round blunt shape. The shell surface is brown, the scale layer of the shell apex is close, the back edge of the shell scale layer is distinct, the inside of the shell surface has pearl luster, and the pearl layer is silver-white and thick. The margin is slightly yellow or yellowish-brown, the hinge is thick, and there is an obvious muscle mark on the closed-shell in the middle and later part of the shell's inner surface.
Description: The shellfish is commonly known as Sān Jiǎo Fān Bàng. It is a shellfish of the Hyriopsis genus, the Unionidae of the Unionoida order. The shell is large, flat, chitin is firm and hard, and its shape is slightly triangular. The apex of the left and right shells is tightly connected together, the rear dorsal brim is long, and protruding upward, forming a big triangular veliform hind wing, the front dorsal brim is short and small, showing an angular shape. The ventrolateral edge is nearly linear, slightly arc-shaped. The shell surface is not smooth, and the apex of the shell is carved with a thick and big costa. Growth lines are arranged in concentric rings, wide distance. The shell's inner surface is smooth, and the nacreous layer (pearly layer) is cream white (milky white).
Ecological Environment: The shellfish lives in rivers and lakes with a slightly sandy bottom of light cement. It is distributed in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, northern area, and other areas of China.
Description: The shellfish is commonly known as Zhě Wén Guān Bàng. It is a shellfish of the Cristaria genus, the Unionidae of the Eulamellibranchia order. The shell is bigger, and is a slightly scalene triangle. The front dorsal brim crown protrusion is inconspicuous, and the rear dorsal brim stretches upward obliquely and forms a big crown. The posterior back of the crown has a series of progressively thickening longitudinal ribs that extend from the apex of the shell. The ventrolateral edge is nearly linear. The shell surface is dark yellowish green to black-brown, and the apex of the shell is often eroded and loses the color of the surface layer. The nacreous layer (pearly layer) is glossy.
With the clam cultured pearl, high yield, but the operation is not as convenient as the clam, the nacreous layer quality is rough, and the pearl is pale yellow, so the quality of a cultured pearl is not as good as the pearl cultivated by the clam.
Description: The shellfish is commonly known as Bèi Jiǎo Wú Chǐ Bàng, or Sinanodonta woodiana. It is a shellfish of the Anodonta genus, the Unionodae family of the Unionoida order. The shell shape is oval with angular protrusions, the front end is slightly circular, the rear end is beveled, and the ventrolateral edge is arc-shaped. The posterior back has three thick costa shots from the apex of the shell. The shell surface is olive-brown. The marks of the adductor muscle are oblong oval. The nacreous layer of the shell's inner surface is cream-white (milky white).
Ecological Environment: The shellfish live in the mud at the bottom of rivers and lakes. It is distributed throughout the country. This species is a common species in China, it is widely distributed in rivers, lakes, reservoirs, ditches, and ponds. The yield of the pearl is high, but the quality of the pearl from it is inferior to the pearl from Hyriopsis cumingii and Cristaria plicata. Generally, it is only used as a breeding oyster in areas where there is a lack of Hyriopsis cumingii and Cristaria plicata.
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