Compendium of Materia Medica

Page Two

Heavenly Bamboooriginal: "南天竹" (Nantian zhu). Scientifically known as Nandina domestica. Despite its name and bamboo-like stalks, it is an evergreen shrub in the barberry family, famous for its bright red berries in winter.

In the Dream Pool Essays and the Records of the Southern Candle Plant, it is noted that the descriptions provided in traditional pharmacopoeias are manifold and confusing; today, few people can truly recognize the plant. In making Green Essence Riceoriginal: "靑精飯" (Qingjing fan). A traditional dish where rice is dyed black using the juices of medicinal plants, often associated with Daoist dietary practices for longevity., which is black in color, people mistakenly use the Tallow Treeoriginal: "烏臼" (Wujiu); Triadica sebifera. to dye it, which is entirely wrong. This plant is tree-like, yet also resembles an herb, which is why it was called "Southern Grass-Wood." What people today call "Heavenly Bamboo" is the correct plant. Southerners often plant it between their courtyards and railings. Its stalks are like those of the Chinese Elderoriginal: "朔藿" (Shuohuo); Sambucus chinensis., possessing nodes and reaching heights of three or four feet; on Mount Lu, some specimens reach ten feet. The leaves slightly resemble those of the Chinaberryoriginal: "楝" (Lian); Melia azedarach. but are smaller. By autumn, the berries are as red as cinnabar. They are very common in the South. According to the description, this is indeed the Heavenly Bamboo and not the Southern Candle tree.

Li Shizhen states: Another name is "Lantian Bamboo." It is found in many places, and people delight in planting it in gardens. Small branches grow from the woody body of the plant. The leaves grow opposite one another and quite closely resemble bamboo. In spring, it produces flower spikes that are white with a faint tint of red. It bears seeds like peas that are a pure green color. By winter, the color gradually changes until they look like red beans. They are perfectly round and lovely, only falling after the Winter Solsticeoriginal: "臘後" (Lahou). Refers to the period after the 'La' sacrifice, occurring around the end of the lunar year.. It is passed down that the seeds are as green as...