What varieties of Gastrodia elata are there? A detailed introduction to common varieties

Gastrodia elata is a traditional precious medicinal herb in China, with powerful medicinal effects and high medicinal value. It is widely used in our daily lives, and it is not only relatively expensive but also comes in several varieties. So do you know what varieties there are? Let's take a look together.

1. Red Gastrodia elata

Also known as Chenggan Gastrodia elata, it is generally distributed in the Yangtze River basin of China, and is also found in Northeast China, Japan, Korea, and Russia. It is suitable for cultivation in the Yangtze River basin at an altitude of 500-1500 m. Its flower stem is flesh-red, which is also the origin of its name. Its flowers are orange-red, its fruit is elliptical, and its tuber is plump and sturdy, oblong or dumbbell-shaped. It has the characteristics of fast growth, wide adaptability, and drought tolerance, and is an excellent variety among Gastrodia elata suitable for artificial cultivation.

2. Green Gastrodia elata

The flowers and flowering stems of green Gastrodia elata are pale blue-green, and the plant reaches 1-1.5 m in height. It often grows mixed with other Gastrodia elata, but its numbers are relatively scarce. The stem is grass-green with blue-green branches, the tuber is obconical, and the water content is about 75%. The fruit is ovoid, and the seed germination rate is relatively high. It is generally planted in Southwest and Northeast China.

3. Black Gastrodia elata

The flower stem of black Gastrodia elata is grayish-brown, the flowers are blue-green, the fruit is ridged, obconical, and the corm is short and thick, elliptical, with a water content of about 70%. Black Gastrodia elata has a good appearance and relatively good medicinal quality, but its ability to divide and propagate is poor, and it is not drought-tolerant. It is mainly produced in high mountain areas above 1500 m in altitude, and is distributed and cultivated in Yunnan, Sichuan, and Guizhou.

4. Yellow Gastrodia elata

The plant reaches more than 1 m in height, the rhizome is ovoid-oblong, and the tuber is extremely large, with a single one reaching 500, and a water content of 80%. The stem is pale yellow, and when young it is yellow-green. It is a domesticated cultivated variety in the southwestern provinces and regions of China.

5. Slender Gastrodia elata

The plant height varies from 10-60 cm, the rhizome is slightly thick and nearly cylindrical, brown, the stem is erect, without green leaves, and usually has 5-20 small flowers. The flowers droop and are light brown. It mainly grows under forests at an altitude of 600-1500 m, and is distributed in Taiwan, China and Japan.

The above is an introduction to the varieties of Gastrodia elata. We hope it can help you. If you want to learn more related knowledge, please stay tuned to us.