Introduction of Mai Dong:Dwarf Lilyturf Root or Radix Ophiopogonis.
✵The article gives records of the herb Dwarf Lilyturf Root, its English name, Latin name, property and flavor, its botanical source two plant species, ①.Ophiopogon japonicus (L.f.) Ker-Gawl., ②.Ophiopogon bodinieri Levl., with a detailed introduction to the botanical features of these two plant species, the growth characteristics, and ecological environment of these two plant species, the features of the herb Dwarf Lilyturf Root, its pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guide.
Radix Ophiopogonis(Dwarf Lilyturf Root).
Pin Yin Name: Mài Dōnɡ, or Mài Mén Dōnɡ.
English Name: Dwarf Lilyturf Root.
Latin Name: Radix Ophiopogonis.
Property and flavor: slightly cold in nature, tastes sweet, slightly bitter.
Brief introduction: The herb Radix Ophiopogonis is the dried tuberous root of Ophiopogon japonicus (L.f.) Ker-Gawl., used (1).to replenish and promote fluid production for the treatment of dipsosis, dry throat, dry cough, and bloody sputum in cases of acute febrile diseases and Yin deficiency of the lung and stomach, and (2).to calm the mind for the treatment of fidgetiness and insomnia. The herb is commonly known as Radix Ophiopogonis, Dwarf Lilyturf Root, Mài Dōnɡ.
Botanical source: Herbal classic book defined the herb Dwarf Lilyturf Tuber(Mai Meng Dong) as the tuber of the Liliaceae family plant species:(1). Ophiopogon japonicus (L.f.) Ker-Gawl., or (2). Ophiopogon bodinieri Levl. They are plant species of the Ophiopogon KerGawl genus, the Liliaceae family (lily family) of the Liliales order. These 2 commonly used species are introduced:
(1).Ophiopogon japonicus (L.f.) Ker-Gawl.
Botanical description: The plant, Ophiopogon japonicus (L.f.) Ker-Gawl is a plant of the Liliaceae family (lily family) and Ophiopogon(lilyturf) genus, some latest classification systems classified the herb into Asparagaceae family (asparagus family), it is commonly known as Dwarf Lilyturf, Mài Dōnɡ, Mài Mén Dōnɡ, or Yán Jiē Cǎo. A perennial herb, it grows up to 12~40 cm high, the middle or front end of fibrous roots are often swollen and form a succulent small root tuber (tuberous root). Leaves are cespitose (tufty); petioles are sheathed (sheath-shaped), the edge has membrane; leaf blades are narrowly long-linear (filate), the base has many fibriform residual bases of old leaves, leaf blades are 15~40 cm long, width is 1.5~4 mm, the apex is sharp-pointed or acuminate, the base is greenish-white and slightly enlarged.
Scapes (flower stalks) are shorter than leaves, 7~15 cm long, or 6~27 cm long, usually much shorter than leaves, racemes are spiciform (spicate), apical, 2~5 cm long, or 3~8 cm long, with several to ten flowers, bracteoles (bractlets) are membranous, each bracteole has 1~3 axillary flowers; pedicels are 3~4 mm long, joints and nodes locate on part above the middle or nearly the middle part; flowers are small, mauve (lilac), slightly pendulous, 6 tapels (perianth lobes), unexpanded, lanceolate, about 5 mm long; 6 stamens, anthers are triangular-lanceolate, 2.5~3 mm long; ovary is half-inferior, 3-loculed, style is about 4 mm long, 1 mm wide, base is broad, slightly conical or broadly attenuated upward.
Berries are spherical-shape (globular), 5~7 mm in diameter, green in early stage, turns dark blue after maturity. Its flowering period is from May to August, the fruiting period is from July to September.
Ecological Environment: The plant grows in areas at altitudes below 2,000 meters above sea level, in dankish places on hillsides or mountain slopes, in the forest, or beside the stream, or is cultivated. Geographical distribution: This species is native to China and is mainly distributed and cultivated in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, the Zhujiang River area, southwest, and northwest areas, and other areas of China, it is also cultivated in big quantity in the southwest.
Growth characteristics: The plant prefers a warm and moist climate, likes the shady environment, abundant rainfall climate conditions, tolerant of coldness, afraid of high temperatures, grows at temperatures 5~30 °C (Celsius, or 41~86 degrees Fahrenheit), the optimum growth temperature is 15~25 °C (Celsius, or 59~77 degrees Fahrenheit), stop growing at a temperature below 0 °C (Celsius, or 32 degrees Fahrenheit) or above 35 °C (Celsius, or 95 degrees Fahrenheit), demand enough water during growth and require adequate light, especially in the blooming period of roots, sufficient light to promote the expansion of roots. It is appropriate to choose a field with loose and fertile, moist neutral or subalkaline loam or sandy loam with good drainage for cultivation, its growth is poor in hypermatic or sabulous or acid soil. Should avoid continuous cropping.
Characters of herbs: The tuberous root is fusiform (spindle-shaped), with slightly pointed ends, the length is 1.5~3.5 cm, and the middle part is 3~7 mm in diameter. The surface is khaki or yellowish-white, has deep irregular fine vertical striations, and sometimes one end has a small and fine stele (central cylinder) exposed. The texture of the herb is pliable and tough, the fracture surface is off-white or yellowish-white, translucent, and the center has a fine and small round stele (cylindrical stele), which can be pulled out when the herb is fresh. The herb has a slight fragrance, it tastes slightly sweet and puckery, slightly sticky (glutinous) when chewed. The herb of a better grade is big and hypertrophic, yellowish-white, and translucent, the texture of the herb is soft and sticky when chewed.
(2).Ophiopogon bodinieri Levl.
Botanical description: The plant, Ophiopogon bodinieri Levl is a plant of the Liliaceae family (lily family) and Ophiopogon (lilyturf) genus, some latest classification systems classified the herb into Asparagaceae family (asparagus family), it also known as Ophiopogon bodinieri H.Lév., commonly known as Ophiopogon, or Yán Jiē Cǎo. A perennial herb, it grows up to 15~40 cm high. Roots are slender, and the part near to the terminal end sometimes is enlarged to a fusiform (spindle-shaped) small root tuber (tuberous root); the underground rhizome is long, diameter is 1-2 mm, and nodes have a membraneous sheath. Stems are very short. The leaf base grows in a tuft, the leaf is in the shape of the gramineous plant, 20-40 cm long, 2-4 mm wide, the apex is acuminate, has 3-5 leaf veins, the edge is serrulate (minutely serrated).
Scapes are slightly shorter than leaves or nearly equal length, racemes are 1-7 cm long, and have several to about a dozen flowers; flowers are usually solitary, or 2 flowers grow in tuft and inside axil of flower bracts; bracts are strip-shaped or lanceolate, a few bracts are aciculiform (acicular), slightly yellowish, translucent, the lowest bracts are about 7 mm long, a few are longer; pedicels are 5-8 mm long, nodes are in the middle part; tapels (perianth lobes) are ovate-lanceolate, lanceolate, or nearly rectangular-circular, 4-6 mm long, three tepals in the inner whorl are wider than three petals in the out whorl, white or slightly purplish; filaments are very short, length is less than 1 mm; anthers are narrow-lanceolate, about 2.5 mm long, often yellowish green; style is thin, 4-5 mm long. Seeds are subsphaeroidal or elliptic, 5-6 mm in diameter. Its flowering period is from June to August, the fruiting period is from August to October.
Morphological features are similar to the Ophiopogon japonicus(L.f.)Ker-Gawl., the main differences are: Scapes are usually slightly shorter than leaves or near equal length; tepals are more or less expanded in the flowering period; styles are thin and long, cylindrical, and the base is not broad.
Ecological Environment: The plant grows on hillsides and mountain slopes, in damp places in valleys, ditch sides, shrubs, or in forests, in areas at altitudes of 600~3,400 meters above sea level. Geographical distribution: This species is mainly distributed or cultivated in most provinces of China. Wild species are distributed in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, the western reaches of the Zhujiang River area, southwest and northwest areas, south of Qinling mountain, western area, east big island, and other areas of China.
Ornamental and garden use: The plant, Ophiopogon bodinieri Levl., has strong tolerance, the plant is low, the root system is developed, covers ground faster, is a good ground cover plant, and it can be planted in the scenic wetlands and wetlands at the lake as the ground cover. Its leaf is evergreen throughout the year, flowers are upright, elegant in color, and can be used as potted foliage plants.
Characters of herbs: The tuberous root is fusiform (spindle-shaped), with a length of 0.8~2 cm, and the middle part is 2~4 mm in diameter. There are fine vertical striations on the surface. The fracture surface is yellow-white, and the stele is thin and small. The herb has a mild taste. The herb of a better grade is big and hypertrophic, yellowish-white, and translucent, the texture of the herb is soft and sticky when chewed.
Pharmacological actions: ①.raise or lower blood sugar level; ②.antimicrobial effect (in vitro has certain level inhibition of Staphylococcus albus, Escherichia coli, etc.); ③.calming effect; ④.enhance the capacity of the experimental hypoxia tolerance in mice; ⑤.increasing the weight of spleen, etc.
Medicinal efficacy: Nourish Yin and promote the secretion of saliva or body fluid, nourish Yin and moistening the lung, clearing away the heart-fire and relieving restlessness, moistening the lung and clear away the heart-fire, reinforcing the stomach and promote the secretion of saliva or body fluid. It is indicated for dryness of lung and dry cough, Yin deficiency and tuberculosis cough, hematemesis (spitting blood), hemoptysis (coughing up blood), blood heat and epistaxis (nose bleeding or bleeding from five aperture or subcutaneous tissue), atrophic lung disease, abscess of lung, pharyngitis(throat obstruction, inflammation of the fauces and pharynx), pharyngalgia, dry pharynx and dry mouth, sore throat, febrile disease and impairment of fluid, impairment of fluid and thirst, consumptive disease and dysphoria with smothery sensation, endogenous heat and wasting thirst (internal heat and consumptive thirst), wasting thirst, vexation and insomnia (upset, lose sleep), constipation due to intestinal dryness, etc.
Administration of Radix Ophiopogonis (Mài Dōnɡ):
Reference:
Administration Guide of Radix Ophiopogonis (Mài Dōnɡ)
TCM Books:
①.Internally: 6~12 grams; ②.Internally:water decoction, 2~4 qian (about 6~12 grams);or prepare to pill, powder; ③.or water decoction, 1.5~6 grams, big dosage could be 15~30 grams; prepare to finely ground herb powder and prepared to pill, powder.
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1.Introduction of Mai Dong:Dwarf Lilyturf Root or Radix Ophiopogonis.
✵The article gives records of the herb Dwarf Lilyturf Root, its English name, Latin name, property and flavor, its botanical source two plant species, ①.Ophiopogon japonicus (L.f.) Ker-Gawl., ②.Ophiopogon bodinieri Levl., with a detailed introduction to the botanical features of these two plant species, the growth characteristics, and ecological environment of these two plant species, the features of the herb Dwarf Lilyturf Root, its pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guide.
Pin Yin Name: Mài Dōnɡ, or Mài Mén Dōnɡ.
Botanical source: Herbal classic book defined the herb Dwarf Lilyturf Tuber(Mai Meng Dong) as the tuber of the Liliaceae family plant species:(1). Ophiopogon japonicus (L.f.) Ker-Gawl., or (2). Ophiopogon bodinieri Levl. They are plant species of the Ophiopogon KerGawl genus, the Liliaceae family (lily family) of the Liliales order. These 2 commonly used species are introduced:
Botanical description: The plant, Ophiopogon japonicus (L.f.) Ker-Gawl is a plant of the Liliaceae family (lily family) and Ophiopogon(lilyturf) genus, some latest classification systems classified the herb into Asparagaceae family (asparagus family), it is commonly known as Dwarf Lilyturf, Mài Dōnɡ, Mài Mén Dōnɡ, or Yán Jiē Cǎo. A perennial herb, it grows up to 12~40 cm high, the middle or front end of fibrous roots are often swollen and form a succulent small root tuber (tuberous root). Leaves are cespitose (tufty); petioles are sheathed (sheath-shaped), the edge has membrane; leaf blades are narrowly long-linear (filate), the base has many fibriform residual bases of old leaves, leaf blades are 15~40 cm long, width is 1.5~4 mm, the apex is sharp-pointed or acuminate, the base is greenish-white and slightly enlarged.
Scapes (flower stalks) are shorter than leaves, 7~15 cm long, or 6~27 cm long, usually much shorter than leaves, racemes are spiciform (spicate), apical, 2~5 cm long, or 3~8 cm long, with several to ten flowers, bracteoles (bractlets) are membranous, each bracteole has 1~3 axillary flowers; pedicels are 3~4 mm long, joints and nodes locate on part above the middle or nearly the middle part; flowers are small, mauve (lilac), slightly pendulous, 6 tapels (perianth lobes), unexpanded, lanceolate, about 5 mm long; 6 stamens, anthers are triangular-lanceolate, 2.5~3 mm long; ovary is half-inferior, 3-loculed, style is about 4 mm long, 1 mm wide, base is broad, slightly conical or broadly attenuated upward.
Berries are spherical-shape (globular), 5~7 mm in diameter, green in early stage, turns dark blue after maturity. Its flowering period is from May to August, the fruiting period is from July to September.
Ecological Environment: The plant grows in areas at altitudes below 2,000 meters above sea level, in dankish places on hillsides or mountain slopes, in the forest, or beside the stream, or is cultivated. Geographical distribution: This species is native to China and is mainly distributed and cultivated in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, the Zhujiang River area, southwest, and northwest areas, and other areas of China, it is also cultivated in big quantity in the southwest.
Growth characteristics: The plant prefers a warm and moist climate, likes the shady environment, abundant rainfall climate conditions, tolerant of coldness, afraid of high temperatures, grows at temperatures 5~30 °C (Celsius, or 41~86 degrees Fahrenheit), the optimum growth temperature is 15~25 °C (Celsius, or 59~77 degrees Fahrenheit), stop growing at a temperature below 0 °C (Celsius, or 32 degrees Fahrenheit) or above 35 °C (Celsius, or 95 degrees Fahrenheit), demand enough water during growth and require adequate light, especially in the blooming period of roots, sufficient light to promote the expansion of roots. It is appropriate to choose a field with loose and fertile, moist neutral or subalkaline loam or sandy loam with good drainage for cultivation, its growth is poor in hypermatic or sabulous or acid soil. Should avoid continuous cropping.
Characters of herbs: The tuberous root is fusiform (spindle-shaped), with slightly pointed ends, the length is 1.5~3.5 cm, and the middle part is 3~7 mm in diameter. The surface is khaki or yellowish-white, has deep irregular fine vertical striations, and sometimes one end has a small and fine stele (central cylinder) exposed. The texture of the herb is pliable and tough, the fracture surface is off-white or yellowish-white, translucent, and the center has a fine and small round stele (cylindrical stele), which can be pulled out when the herb is fresh. The herb has a slight fragrance, it tastes slightly sweet and puckery, slightly sticky (glutinous) when chewed. The herb of a better grade is big and hypertrophic, yellowish-white, and translucent, the texture of the herb is soft and sticky when chewed.
Botanical description: The plant, Ophiopogon bodinieri Levl is a plant of the Liliaceae family (lily family) and Ophiopogon (lilyturf) genus, some latest classification systems classified the herb into Asparagaceae family (asparagus family), it also known as Ophiopogon bodinieri H.Lév., commonly known as Ophiopogon, or Yán Jiē Cǎo. A perennial herb, it grows up to 15~40 cm high. Roots are slender, and the part near to the terminal end sometimes is enlarged to a fusiform (spindle-shaped) small root tuber (tuberous root); the underground rhizome is long, diameter is 1-2 mm, and nodes have a membraneous sheath. Stems are very short. The leaf base grows in a tuft, the leaf is in the shape of the gramineous plant, 20-40 cm long, 2-4 mm wide, the apex is acuminate, has 3-5 leaf veins, the edge is serrulate (minutely serrated).
Scapes are slightly shorter than leaves or nearly equal length, racemes are 1-7 cm long, and have several to about a dozen flowers; flowers are usually solitary, or 2 flowers grow in tuft and inside axil of flower bracts; bracts are strip-shaped or lanceolate, a few bracts are aciculiform (acicular), slightly yellowish, translucent, the lowest bracts are about 7 mm long, a few are longer; pedicels are 5-8 mm long, nodes are in the middle part; tapels (perianth lobes) are ovate-lanceolate, lanceolate, or nearly rectangular-circular, 4-6 mm long, three tepals in the inner whorl are wider than three petals in the out whorl, white or slightly purplish; filaments are very short, length is less than 1 mm; anthers are narrow-lanceolate, about 2.5 mm long, often yellowish green; style is thin, 4-5 mm long. Seeds are subsphaeroidal or elliptic, 5-6 mm in diameter. Its flowering period is from June to August, the fruiting period is from August to October.
Ecological Environment: The plant grows on hillsides and mountain slopes, in damp places in valleys, ditch sides, shrubs, or in forests, in areas at altitudes of 600~3,400 meters above sea level. Geographical distribution: This species is mainly distributed or cultivated in most provinces of China. Wild species are distributed in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, the western reaches of the Zhujiang River area, southwest and northwest areas, south of Qinling mountain, western area, east big island, and other areas of China.
Ornamental and garden use: The plant, Ophiopogon bodinieri Levl., has strong tolerance, the plant is low, the root system is developed, covers ground faster, is a good ground cover plant, and it can be planted in the scenic wetlands and wetlands at the lake as the ground cover. Its leaf is evergreen throughout the year, flowers are upright, elegant in color, and can be used as potted foliage plants.
Characters of herbs: The tuberous root is fusiform (spindle-shaped), with a length of 0.8~2 cm, and the middle part is 2~4 mm in diameter. There are fine vertical striations on the surface. The fracture surface is yellow-white, and the stele is thin and small. The herb has a mild taste. The herb of a better grade is big and hypertrophic, yellowish-white, and translucent, the texture of the herb is soft and sticky when chewed.
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