Illustrated Investigation of the Names and Realities of Plants

Longevity Seed (Wanshouzi) Scientific name: Ardisia crenata. Often called the Coralberry or Christmas Berry in English, it is a popular ornamental shrub known for the bright red berries that hang in thick clusters, which the text here identifies as "seeds."

Volume 26 of the Assembly of Fragrances original: "羣芳" (Qunfang). This refers to the Qunfangpu, a famous botanical encyclopedia from the Ming Dynasty. The author, Wu Qijun, frequently references this earlier work to provide historical context for the plants he describes.

Longevity Seed (Wanshouzi) The name "Wanshouzi" translates literally as "Ten-Thousand Years of Longevity Seed," reflecting the cultural significance of the plant's enduring red fruit, which often persists through the winter, symbolizing long life and vitality.

A woodblock illustration appears here, depicting the Longevity Seed plant with its characteristic lance-shaped, wavy-edged leaves and two heavy clusters of round berries dangling from the stems.