What is the difference between lala grass and raffia grass? A quick guide to tell them apart

Lala grass and raffia grass are both grasses; their names look very similar, but a single character's difference turns them into two different grasses. So, what is the difference between lala grass and raffia grass?

Difference 1: different family and genus

Lala grass, also called lala vine, is an annual or perennial evergreen twining herb of the genus Humulus in the family Cannabaceae, reaching more than 4 m in length, with stems, branches and leaf stalks densely covered in recurved prickles; the stems are pale green with longitudinal ridges, the leaves are nearly kidney-shaped and pentagonal, 7-10 cm in diameter, with an acute or acuminate apex, a heart-shaped base and coarse serrated edges, and rough bristles on both surfaces.

Raffia grass, also called wish rope or love grass, is a plant of the family Asteraceae; the grass is smooth on the outside and crisp in texture, and it is not afraid of water and is extremely strong.

Difference 2: different distribution

Lala grass is distributed in Northeast China, North China, South China, East China, Taiwan, China and elsewhere; it grows in cultivated land, especially along ditches, roadsides and wasteland, grows vigorously and often forms single-species communities, and is a major harmful weed in wheat fields and orchards.

Raffia grass is an imported grass material from Madagascar in Africa; because of its strong toughness and exceptional qualities it is recognised by the international market, and people also regard it as love grass, implying that people should treat love consistently and with unwavering loyalty.

Difference 3: different uses

Lala grass can be used as medicine; its medicinal nature is sweet, bitter and cold, and it can both cool the blood and stop bleeding and invigorate the blood and move blood, so it can be used for bleeding syndromes caused by reckless movement of hot blood or by blood stasis blocking the vessels, and is especially suitable for various bleeding syndromes with heat in the blood complicated by stasis; it can also free the meridians and move stagnant blood, so it can be used to treat amenorrhea, traumatic injuries, rheumatic arthralgia and other syndromes of blood stasis blocking the meridians, and is especially an important medicine for regulating menstruation in gynaecology.

Raffia grass has been woven into many ornaments rich in ethnic characteristics; in addition, tying a wish rope on a longevity pine can pray for health and well-being for one's parents, safety for one's family and health for one's children; lovers give each other wish ropes to wrap around both their wrists, expressing that both lovers will never change their hearts.