Illustrated Investigation of the Names and Realities of Plants, Volume 4

Illustrated Investigation of the Names and Realities of Plants: Volume 2

The Farmer of Yulou The pen name of the author, Wu Qijun (1789–1847), a high-ranking official and celebrated botanist says: In Yunnan original: 滇, Diān, there is a variety of taro with red roots and flowers. Its appearance belongs to the same family as the giant taro original: 海芋, hǎiyù; Alocasia macrorrhizos and the jack-in-the-pulpit original: 南星, nánxīng; Arisaema. One can cut the stems of its flowers, peel them, and roast them. When seasoned with the five flavors, it is comparable to Chinese broccoli original: 芥藍, jièlán. However, the whole root itself is inedible.

Indeed, the "crouching owl" original: 蹲鴟, zūnchī; an ancient poetic name for the taro corm has performed truly great service in saving the world from hunger. In the regions between the Zhang and Gong rivers in Jiangxi province and along the bends of the Xiao and Xiang rivers in Hunan province, taro fields are vast and numerous. Yet, those who have not seen this flowering variety are often astonished by its uniqueness; the timid might even fear it is as poisonous as the zhen bird original: 鴆, zhèn; a mythical bird whose feathers were said to be so toxic they could poison wine.

The people of Yunnan eat their fill of the large corm, finding it delicious whether roasted or sliced into pieces. Furthermore, they alone have discovered that the flowering stems can be eaten, finding them even superior to daylilies or bean leaves.

How abundant are the plants and trees of Yunnan! It is said that all things are born in the east and reach maturity in the west. Since Yunnan is situated in the southwest, it is frequently visited by the Changhe winds original: 閶闔風, chānghéfēng; the winds of the "Gates of Heaven," associated with the west and the autumn harvest. When things reach the autumn of their cycle, their vital essence gathers and rises. Therefore, the trees there bloom easily, and the herbs flourish readily. The days are warm and harmonious, while the nights are dry original: 暵, hàn; to dry in the sun or heat and crisp. The plants sprout and are harvested without their vital energy being dissipated; they flower early and bear fruit late, working diligently without becoming exhausted.

Yet, the land of Yunnan is also a place where beauty remains hidden during the hot months, and buds form even in the winter festival month original: 臈, là; the twelfth lunar month. Mornings are often overcast, and evenings are frequently windy. This is the particular nature of that region. Only as one travels northeast from Dali...