Pinellia ternata

Pinellia ternata (Chinese: 半夏, Japanese: カラスビシャク), crow-dipper, is a plant that is native to China, Japan, and Korea. However, it also grows as an invasive weed in parts of Europe (Austria, Germany) and in North America (California, Ontario, the northeastern United States).[1][2] The leaves are trifoliate, and the flowers are of the spathe and spadix form that is typical of plants in the family Araceae.[3]

Crow-dipper
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Alismatales
Family: Araceae
Genus: Pinellia
Species:
P. ternata
Binomial name
Pinellia ternata

Characteristics

The plant spreads by rhizomes, and there are also small bulblets (also known as bulbils) at the base of each leaf. Flowers are borne in spring.[4]

Traditional medicine

This plant is toxic in raw form and must be processed. Pinellia ternata is known as the herb effective in removing dampness-phlegm, one of the causes of obesity in traditional Chinese medicine.[5] One study found that high doses of Pinellia extract effects thermogenesis and fatty acid oxidation in Zucker rats.[4]

  • Plant as used in Chinese herbology (crude medicine)
    Plant as used in Chinese herbology (crude medicine)
  • The flower of Pinellia ternata, the Inflorescence
    The flower of Pinellia ternata, the Inflorescence
  • Mature Pinellia ternata
    Mature Pinellia ternata
  • Pinellia ternata bulbil
    Pinellia ternata bulbil

References
  1. Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
  2. Biota of North America Program, 2013 county distribution map
  3. Flora of China Vol. 23 Page 42, 半夏 ban xia, Pinellia ternata (Thunberg) Tenore ex Breitenbach, Bot. Zeitung. 37: 687. 1879.
  4. Kim, YJ; Shin, YO; Ha, YW; Lee, S; Oh, JK; Kim, YS (2006). "Anti-obesity effect of Pinellia ternata extract in Zucker rats". Biological & Pharmaceutical Bulletin. 29 (6): 1278–81. doi:10.1248/bpb.29.1278. PMID 16755034.
  5. "Pinellia (Ban Xia) | Chinese Herbs Healing". Retrieved 2020-06-21.
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