Pinellia ternata - Ban Xia

Family:	Araceae
Habit:	Corm
Height:	0.2
Width:	0.15
Synonyms:	P. tubifera.
Range:	E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea.

Pinellia ternata (Ban Xia) is a Corm which grows to a height of 0.2m and a width of 0.15m . It has a hardness rating of 6.
Ban Xia 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

Ban Xia 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
Ban Xia prefers moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Ban Xia can grow in semi or areas with no shade.

Cultivated fields and roadsides all over Japan[58]. Shady and damp grass thickets on mountain sides and stream edges[147].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

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

Cultivation Details

An easily grown when given a rich soil, it requires plenty of water in the growing season[1]. Succeeds in full sun or partial shade[188]. This species is cultivated as a medicinal plant in China[178]. Plants produce bulbils in their leaf axils and when growing in suitable conditions can become invasive[188, 238]. The plants can be naturalized in woodland[1].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 1/5
Root[177]. The tuber is about 12mm in diameter[266]. No more details of edibility are given in these reports but caution is advised since the fresh root is toxic[238]. The toxins can be destroyed by thoroughly drying, or very well cooking the root[K].

• Root - includes bulbs, corms, tubers, rhizomes etc.

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 3/5
The root of ban xia is antiemetic, antiphlogistic, expectorant, febrifuge, sialagogue and styptic. It also strengthens the spleen[147, 174, 176, 178, 279]. 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 of offsets as new growth begins in spring[238]. Bulbils from the leaf axils can be potted up in late summer and be planted out in late spring[238].

Known Hazards

The plant is toxic[147]. 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[172].

Other Uses

None known

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

Flora of Japan. (English translation)
Ohwi. G.
Author: Ohwi. G.
Rating:
Publisher : The standard work. Brilliant, but not for the casual reader.
Date of Publication : 1965

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

DISCLAIMER: All information published on AussieGardening.com.au is for entertainment purposes only. Readers are encouraged to confirm the information contained here with other sources. The information is not intended to replace medical advice offered by doctors or dietary advice by dieticians. AussieGardening.com.au will not be liable for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, exemplary, or other damages arising therefrom.