Ban Xia, Crowdipper
Pinellia ternata

Family: Araceae

What it is like

Pinellia ternata is a CORM growing to 0.2 m (0ft 8in) by 0.2 m (0ft 8in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It is in flower from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 0.2

Where it is found

Cultivated fields and roadsides all over Japan. Shady and damp grass thickets on mountain sides and stream edges.

E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 1

Root. The tuber is about 12mm in diameter. No more details of edibility are given in these reports but caution is advised since the fresh root is toxic. The toxins can be destroyed by thoroughly drying, or very well cooking the root.

Root: includes bulbs, corms, tubers, rhizomes etc.

Medicine

Rating: 3

The root of ban xia is antiemetic, antiphlogistic, expectorant, febrifuge, sialagogue and styptic. It also strengthens the spleen. Modern research has shown that this remedy is very effective in controlling nausea and vomiting. It is also an ingredient of a Chinese prescription for removing gallstones without surgery, a process that usually causes severe nausea. The root is also used internally in the treatment of coughs with thin watery phlegm and gastritis. The fresh root is extremely acrid and contains toxins, these are neutralized upon drying or by soaking in tea or vinegar. The root is harvested in the summer and dried for later use, it should not be used fresh. Extracts of the plant have been shown to have analgesic, antiemetic, anticancer and sedative activity.

Antiemetic: Prevents vomiting.

Antiphlogistic: Reduces inflammation.

Cancer: Used in the treatment of cancer.

Expectorant: Clears phlegm from the chest by inducing coughing.

Febrifuge: Reduces fevers.

Sialagogue: Stimulates the secretion of saliva.

Styptic: An astringent that stops bleeding by contracting the blood vessels.

Other

Rating:

How it is grown

An easily grown when given a rich soil, it requires plenty of water in the growing season. Succeeds in full sun or partial shade. This species is cultivated as a medicinal plant in China. Plants produce bulbils in their leaf axils and when growing in suitable conditions can become invasive. The plants can be naturalized in woodland.

Propagating it: Seed - we have no information but suggest sowing the seed in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe if this is possible otherwise in early spring. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division of offsets as new growth begins in spring. Bulbils from the leaf axils can be potted up in late summer and be planted out in late spring.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade;

Habit: Corm

Hardiness: 5-9

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

The plant is toxic. This report probably refers to the presence of calcium oxylate. This is toxic and if consumed makes the mouth and digestive tract feel as though hundreds of needles are being stuck into it. However, calcium oxylate is easily destroyed by thoroughly cooking or drying the plant.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

P. tubifera.