What is the difference between Fanbaicao (Potentilla discolor) and Jucai (Potentilla chinensis)?

Fanbaicao is also known as Jituigen, Jibatui, Tianou, Yexiabai, Jizhuashen, and Fanbaiweilingcai. It is cultivated in most parts of our country. Where is the difference between it and Jucai?

1. Where is the difference between Fanbaicao and Jucai?

1. Different roots

The root of Fanbaicao is thick and robust, and the lower part is often thickened into a spindle shape; while the root of Jucai is thick and robust, cylindrical, and slightly lignified.

2. Different leaves

The leaflets of Fanbaicao are oblong or oblong-lanceolate, 1-5 cm long and 0.5-0.8 cm wide, with rounded-obtuse or rarely acute tips, cuneate, broadly cuneate, or oblique-rounded bases, and rounded-obtuse serrations along the margins, rarely acute; the upper surface is dark green and sparsely covered with white cottony hairs or nearly hairless after falling off, while the lower surface is densely covered with white or grayish-white cottony hairs. The leaflets of Jucai are opposite or alternate, with the upper leaflets longer and gradually decreasing downward, sessile, oblong, obovate, or oblong-lanceolate, 1-5 cm long and 0.5-1.5 cm wide, with pinnate parted margins; the lobes are triangular-ovate, triangular-lanceolate, or oblong-lanceolate, with acute or rounded-obtuse tips, and the margins are revolute downward; the upper surface is green and covered with short pubescence or nearly hairless after falling off, with the midvein sunken, while the lower surface is covered with white tomentum and white silky long soft hairs along the veins.

3. Different flowering and fruiting periods

The flowering and fruiting period of Fanbaicao is from May to September, and the achenes are nearly kidney-shaped, about 1 mm wide, and smooth; the flowering and fruiting period of Jucai is from April to October, and the achenes are ovoid, dark brown, and have obvious wrinkles.

4. Different growing environments

Fanbaicao grows in wastelands, valleys, ditch sides, hillside grasslands, meadows, and open forests at an altitude of 100-1850 m; while Jucai grows in hillside grasslands, gullies, forest edges, shrublands, or open forests at an altitude of 400-3200 m.

2. What are the values of Fanbaicao and Jucai?

Fanbaicao:

1. Medicinal

Fanbaicao is sweet in taste, slightly bitter, neutral, cold, and slightly astringent in nature. It enters the stomach and large intestine meridians. The whole plant is used as medicine and can stop bleeding, clear heat and detoxify, and reduce swelling. It also has antibacterial, antidiarrheal, immunosuppressive, blood sugar-lowering, and antitumor effects.

2. Edible

The tuberous roots are rich in starch and can be eaten; the tender stems can be boiled in boiling water, then soaked, and eaten as a vegetable.

3. Ecological

The plants are compact, the flowers are brightly colored, and the flowering period is long, making it a good shade-tolerant and flowering ground cover. The plants stay close to the ground and have a very good effect on soil and water conservation.

Jucai:

1. Medicinal

The roots contain tannins and can be used to extract tannin extract; the whole plant is used as medicine and can clear heat and detoxify, stop bleeding, and stop dysentery.

2. Edible

Its tender seedlings can be eaten and can also be used as pig feed. In spring, collect the tender seedlings; in summer and autumn, collect the whole plant, wash it, and use it fresh; the whole plant can also be dried in the sun for later use.