Star grass, Golden-eyed grass
Curculigo orchioides

Family: Hypoxidaceae

What it is like

Golden Eye-Grass or Curculigo orchioides is a tropical flowering plant native to China, Japan, Indian Subcontinent, Papuasia, and Micronesia. It is a stem-less perennial herb with a cluster of leaves from the roots that forms into a clump. The leaves are large, sword shaped and folded like a fan. The flowers are star shaped, yellow in colour and small. The fruit is a berry that is pale green in colour. The plant is used in traditional medicine as a general tonic and restorative. In particular, it is used in the treatment of peptic ulcers, piles, gonorrhoea, leucorrhea, asthma, jaundice, diarrhoea, lumbago, and headache. The tubers are eaten when cooked. It is grown through seed sowing, division of rootstock, and offsets.

Curculigo orchioides is an evergreen Perennial growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10 and is frost tender. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. 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): 0.5

Where it is found

Forests and open grassy slopes from near sea level to 1,600 metres in southern China.

E. Asia - S. China, Japan, Indian subcontinent, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, New Guinea, W.Pacific.

Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Marianas, Myanmar, Northeastern India, Pacific, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, SE Asia, Thailand, Vietnam.

How it is used

Food

Rating: 1

The tubers are cooked and eaten.

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

Medicine

Rating: 4

The rhizome is used in traditional medicine throughout the plants range. It is especially valued in Chinese traditional medicine as a general tonic and restorative in the treatment of decline (especially of physical strength). A bitter tasting, mucilaginous herb, it is said to be adaptogenic, analeptic, androgenic, anticonvulsive, antiinflammatory, aphrodisiac, diuretic, emmenagogue, sedative, tonic and uterine tonic. It also has a stimulating effect upon the immune system. Pharmacological studies have shown the presence of several medically active compounds in the rhizome including saponins and glycosides. Curculigosaponins C and F can promote the proliferation of spleen lymphocytes very significantly. Curculigosaponins F and G increase the weight of the thymus. Curculigoside exerts immunological and protective effects. In addition to its use as a general restorative, the rhizome is used internally in the treatment of a range of diseases including peptic ulcers, piles, gonorrhoea, leucorrhoea, asthma, jaundice, chronic nephritis, diarrhoea, lumbago and headache. Externally, the rhizome is used to treat skin diseases. The rhizomes are washed, freed from roots, and sliced; the slices are dried in the shade. Usually the dried slices are powdered, and small amounts of powder are mixed in a glass of milk with sugar or used to prepare a decoction for drinking. Swelling of the tongue has been reported as a side-effect after drinking a decoction from the rhizome; in China the recommended antidote is a decoction of Rheum tanguticum with sodium sulphate.

Adaptogen: Helps the body

Antiasthmatic: Treats asthma.

Antidiarrhoeal: Provides symptomatic relief for diarrhoea. Also see Astringent.

Antihaemorrhoidal: Treats haemorrhoids (piles). This would probably be best added to another heading.

Antiinflammatory: Reduces inflammation of joints, injuries etc.

Aphrodisiac: Increases the sexual appetite.

Diuretic: Acts on the kidneys, promoting the flow of urine.

Emmenagogue: Promotes or increases the menstrual flow. In early stages of pregnancy it can induce an abortion.

Sedative: Gently calms, reducing nervousness, distress and irritation.

Skin: Plants used in miscellaneous treatments for the skin.

Stimulant: Excites or quickens activity of the physiological processes. Faster acting than a tonic but differing from a narcotic in that it does not give a false sense of well-being.

Tonic: Improves general health. Slower acting than a stimulant, it brings steady improvement.

Other

Rating: 0

How it is grown

Succeeds in humid tropical and subtropical areas and can be cultivated outdoors in warm, essentially frost-free temperate areas. Prefers a humus-rich, fertile, well-drained soil and a position in dappled shade. The rhizomes may reach 30 cm x 11.5 cm. Only 3 - 5 leaves are found on the plant at a given time. The flowers and fruits are inconspicuous because they are close to the ground and partially covered by the bracts and leaves.

Propagating it: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe. Division of the rootstock. Offsets.

Best place to grow:

Habit: Perennial

Hardiness: 10-12

Growth:

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

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Golden Eye-Grass or Curculigo orchioides. Also known as: Star grass, golden eye-grass, xian mao, weevil-wort, black musli, Kali musli, or Kali Musali, Kuluthupokie, Mushali, Nelatati-gadde, Nelatatygadda, Nilappanai, Tala nuli, Toloangi, Wan prao.

Synonyms

Curculigo brevifolia Dryand. ex W.T.Aiton Curculigo firma Kotschy & Peyr. Curculigo malabarica Wight