In which regions are the main production areas of Lophatherum gracile distributed?

Lophatherum gracile is a perennial herbaceous plant of the grass family (Poaceae) and the genus Lophatherum. It has rhizomes; the middle part of the fibrous roots can swell into spindle-shaped fleshy tuberous roots, which are yellowish-white. The leaves are lanceolate, and it bears panicles; the caryopsis is elliptical. It grows in shady, damp places under forests on hillsides, and is distributed in the provinces and regions south of the Yangtze River.

The production area distribution of Lophatherum gracile

1. Domestic distribution: Jiangsu, Anhui, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Fujian, Taiwan, China, Hunan, Guangdong, Guangxi, Sichuan, Yunnan.

2. Foreign distribution: India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Malaysia, Indonesia, New Guinea Island and Japan.

The growing environment of Lophatherum gracile

Lophatherum gracile grows on hillsides, in woodlands or forest margins, and in shaded places along roadsides. Lophatherum gracile is tolerant of poor soil, prefers warmth and humidity, and is shade-tolerant while also slightly tolerant of sun; in environments with excessively strong sunlight, it grows poorly, often showing stunted plants, reduced tillering ability, and dry, yellowish leaf color, which lowers its ornamental value. A fertile, well-draining yellow loam or vegetable garden soil is suitable as its cultivation soil.

For ground planting, Lophatherum gracile can be placed in shaded spots such as under trees in the forest with good ventilation and no direct light.

For pot cultivation, Lophatherum gracile can be placed indoors or on a balcony and other places not exposed to direct sunlight.

The medicinal value of Lophatherum gracile

The roots of Lophatherum gracile can be used medicinally, having effects of cooling, reducing fever, promoting urination and inducing labor. It mainly treats heat in the chest, cough with upward counterflow of qi, hematemesis, heat-toxin wind, quenches thirst, suppresses the toxicity of cinnabar and mineral drugs, reduces phlegm, treats heat mania and restlessness, apoplexy with loss of voice and inability to speak, painful head wind, stops palpitations, pestilential dizziness and oppression, kills small worms, and clears heat and soothes the spleen.

Lophatherum gracile can also be used as forage grass.