Where are the main places of origin of He Shou Wu (Polygonum multiflorum) distributed?

He Shou Wu, also known as Polygonum multiflorum, purple fleeceflower stem, and Ye Jiao Teng, is a perennial twining vine of the genus Fallopia in the tribe Polygoneae of the family Polygonaceae. It grows in valley thickets, on mountain slopes under forest, and in rock crevices beside ditches. Its places of origin are distributed across southern Shaanxi, southern Gansu, East China, Central China, South China, Sichuan, Yunnan and Guizhou, and other places. Let us take a look below at the places of origin and distribution of He Shou Wu!

Places of origin and distribution of He Shou Wu

The places of origin of He Shou Wu are distributed across southern Shaanxi, southern Gansu, East China, Central China, South China, Sichuan, Yunnan and Guizhou. Binhai County in Jiangsu Province and Deqing County in Guangdong Province are well-known hometowns of He Shou Wu.

Growing environment of the places of origin of He Shou Wu

He Shou Wu mostly grows wild in mountain forests and thickets, as well as on sunny slopes at the foot of mountains, or in rock crevices, twining around other objects as it grows. It prefers warm and humid conditions, and dislikes waterlogged and overly dry environments. It has strong adaptability. He Shou Wu grown in well-drained, loose-structured, fertile sandy loam or loess develops large, thick tuberous roots. In low-lying, waterlogged land, the tuberous roots rot easily. It can be planted beside ditches, at field edges, at forest margins or in farmland.

The hometowns of He Shou Wu in China

1. Binhai He Shou Wu: Binhai County, Yancheng City, Jiangsu Province is located where the old course of the Yellow River enters the sea. The He Shou Wu grown in its distinctive soil has been verified by experts as one of the authentic varieties of He Shou Wu, and its nutritional components and effects are superior to other varieties of He Shou Wu. It is a famous hometown of He Shou Wu in China.

2. Deqing He Shou Wu: The He Shou Wu produced in Deqing County, Guangdong Province is praised as the "hometown of He Shou Wu" because of its heavy weight, solidity, high starch content, sliced pieces showing a cloud-brocade pattern, and excellent quality.