Re he huang jing, Imaan orhodai
Polygonatum macropodum

Family: Asparagaceae

What it is like

A herb. It has rhizomes of underground stems. They are 1-2 cm thick. The stem is erect and 30-100 cm high. The leaves are alternate. The leaf stalk is very short. The leaf blade is oval and 4-8 cm long by 2-5 cm wide. The flowering stalk has 5-12 flowers. The flowers hang over. They are white or reddish. The fruit is a berry. It is deep blue and 7-11 mm across. There are 7 or 8 seeds.

There are about 50 Polygonatum species. Also put in the family Convallariaceae.

Where it is found

A temperate plant. It grows in forests and on shaded slopes between 400-1500 m altitude in N China.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, China, Manchuria, Mongolia

How it is used for food

The rhizomes are cleaned, parboiled, drained and partially dried and rubbed between the hands. It is the sliced and cooked with other foods.

Edible parts

Leaves, root, rhizomes

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Polygonatum umbellatum Baker;