Pinellia pedatisecta - Hu Zhang

Family:	Araceae
Habit:	Corm
Height:	0.2
Width:	0.15
Synonyms:
Range:	E. Asia - N. and W. China

Pinellia pedatisecta (Hu Zhang) is a Corm which grows to a height of 0.2m and a width of 0.15m . It has a hardness rating of 6.
Hu Zhang will flower in January to February. The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by

Soil Information

Hu Zhang will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is not necessary for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
Hu Zhang prefers moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Hu Zhang can grow in semi or areas with no shade.

Not known

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Grows within a woodland garden
• Grows on a sunny edge
• Works within dappled Shade

Cultivation Details

Easily grown in a rich soil, it requires plenty of water in the growing season[1]. Succeeds in full sun or partial shade[188]. Plants can be naturalized in woodland[1]. Plants produce bulbils in their leaf axils[188].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 0/5
None known

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 2/5
The poisonous tubers are used as a medicine for the treatment of enlargement of the lymph node and urinary tract infections[266]. The following notes for P. ternata almost certainly also apply to this species[218]. The root is antiemetic, antiphlogistic, expectorant, febrifuge, sialagogue, styptic. Strengthens the spleen[147, 174, 176, 178]. Modern research has shown that this remedy is very effective in controlling nausea and vomiting[238]. It is also an ingredient of a Chinese prescription for removing gallstones without surgery, a process that usually causes severe nausea[238]. The root is also used internally in the treatment of coughs with thin watery phlegm and gastritis[238]. The fresh root is extremely acrid and contains toxins, these are neutralized upon drying or by soaking in tea or vinegar[238]. The root is harvested in the summer and dried for later use, it should not be used fresh[174, 238]. Extracts of the plant have been shown to have analgesic, antiemetic, anticancer and sedative activity[218].

• 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.

Propagation

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 as new growth begins in spring. Bulbils from the leaf axils.

Known Hazards

Although we have no record of toxicity for this species, all parts of the plant probably contain 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[K]. However, calcium oxylate is easily destroyed by thoroughly cooking or drying the plant[172].

Other Uses

None known

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Huxley. A.
Author: Huxley. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
Date of Publication : 1992

Flora of China

Author:
Rating: http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
Publisher : On-line version of the Flora - an excellent resource giving basic info on habitat and some uses.
Date of Publication : 1994

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