Collected Illustrations of the Three Realms: Plants

Sweet Flag

Sweet Flag grows in the ponds and marshes of Shangluo Modern-day Shangzhou in Shaanxi province and in Yandao within the Shu Prefecture The region of modern Sichuan. Today it is found in many places, but the varieties from Chizhou Modern-day Anhui and Rongzhou Modern-day Yibin, Sichuan are considered to be of the highest quality.

Its green leaves reach a length of about one or two feet; the center of the leaf features a prominent ridge, giving it a shape like a sword. It is said to have no flowers or fruit While the plant does produce a flower spike (spadix), ancient Chinese botanical texts often categorized it as flowerless because its flowering is inconspicuous or rare in certain climates.. The roots should be gathered in the fifth and twelfth months and dried in the shade; currently, it is common practice to harvest them on the fifth day of the fifth month The Dragon Boat Festival, a holiday where Sweet Flag is used rituals to ward off pestilence..

The roots are coiled and winding with nodes, shaped like a horsewhip. A single large root will put forth three or four lateral roots; the nodes on these side roots are particularly dense. Roots that possess nine nodes per inch are considered superior, though some varieties may have twelve nodes per inch.

When first harvested, the roots are soft and hidden Referring to their state in the mud or their initial texture, but they become firm and solid after being dried in the sun. When broken open, the center is a pale reddish color. When chewed, it has a pungent, aromatic flavor and leaves behind very little residue.

Many people cultivate this plant in dry sand and stones; if transplanted during the Twelfth Lunar Month original: 臘月 (làyuè); the final month of the traditional lunar calendar, it is especially easy to keep alive. It is also known by the name Sun-Bright original: 昌陽 (chāngyáng). Its flavor is pungent and its nature is warm. It is used for long-standing Wind-Dampness Numbness original: 風濕痺 (fēngshībì); a traditional diagnosis for chronic joint pain and rheumatism caused by environmental factors..