What is Chloranthus spicatus? Introducing the flower also known as tea orchid

Scientific name: Chloranthus spicatus

Aliases: tea orchid

Family: Orchidaceae. Genus: Cymbidium

Distribution:

Native to southern China. Naturally distributed in tropical and subtropical regions of Asia. Mostly distributed in the provinces south of the Yangtze River, with the largest number in the southwestern region.

Characteristics:

The base of old plants is slightly woody, the stems are upright and slightly spreading, the nodes are obvious, and branches grow from the nodes. Leaves are opposite, elliptical, with blunt serrations along the edges, and the leaf surface is smooth and slightly blister-like. The spike inflorescence is terminal. The flowers are yellow and have a rich, delicate fragrance. The flowering period is August-October.

Chloranthus spicatus, of the family Chloranthaceae in the subclass Magnoliidae of the class Dicotyledoneae. Herbs, shrubs, or small trees. Leaves are opposite, basically with unilacunar nodes, the midrib often has double vascular bundles, the leaf stalk bases are often fused, and there are small stipules. Flowers are small, bisexual or unisexual, and without a perianth.

Habits:

Prefers a warm, humid, and ventilated environment. Prefers shade and avoids scorching sun. Requires loose, fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soil.

Uses:

The flowers of Chloranthus spicatus are golden yellow, the branches and leaves are green, and the fragrance resembles that of orchids. It is very suitable for pot cultivation. It can also be planted beside rocks and under trees. The flowers can be used to scent tea, and aromatic oil can also be extracted. The whole plant can be used as medicine.

This family has 5 genera and about 70 species. China has 3 genera and 17 species. Plants of the family Chloranthaceae have good medicinal value. For example, many species of the genus Chloranthus have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory, blood-activating and stasis-dispelling, detoxifying and swelling-reducing, and dampness-dispelling and cold-dispelling effects, and are used to treat many diseases. The whole plant of Sarcandra glabra of the genus Sarcandra is used as medicine, containing fumaric acid, succinic acid, and volatile oil, and also tannins, coumarone, flavonoid glycosides, nitrile glycosides, etc. It has the functions of clearing heat and detoxifying, unblocking meridians and setting bones, activating blood, and relieving pain. In recent years, it has also been used to treat cancer. The rhizomes of some species can be used to extract aromatic oil, and some are garden ornamental plants. The flowers of Chloranthus spicatus are extremely fragrant and are used to scent tea, called zhulan tea.

Chloranthus spicatus grows robustly and is easy to cultivate. It is propagated by division, carried out in autumn, and rooted stem nodes can also be cut off and planted. After flowering, pruning should be carried out once, and liquid fertilizer should be used, to maintain an attractive plant shape and ensure more flowers the following year.