What are the representative plants of the Dragon Boat Festival? Names and variety recommendations
The Dragon Boat Festival is not just about eating zongzi and racing dragon boats. In fact, many of its customs are connected to flowers and plants! Today we will introduce you to 6plants associated with the Dragon Boat Festival.
Hollyhock
Hollyhocks are tall plants with richly colored flowers, commonly seen in red, pink and white. They bloom especially brilliantly around the time of the Dragon Boat Festival, and in rural areas in summer you can see them growing freely everywhere, looking very beautiful. Hollyhocks are also tough and easy to grow, tolerant of both drought and poor soil, so they need almost no fuss; scatter a handful of seeds and they can grow into a sea of flowers.
Mugwort
Mugwortis the most representative plant of the festival. Its leaves are deeply pinnately lobed and covered with grayish-white fuzz, giving off a rich, distinctive fragrance. Mugwort is a treasure from top to bottom: it can reduce inflammation, stop bleeding, warm the meridians and dispel cold. Fresh mugwort can be used to make qingtuan, which is soft, chewy and delicately fragrant; once dried, it can also be made into moxa sticks, a great aid in traditional Chinese medicine therapy.
Sweet Flag
Sweet flag is often used together with mugwort. Its leaves are long, slender and upright, shaped like a sword, which is why it has been given nicknames such as "water sword grass" and "rush sword." Although the whole plant is toxic, it also contains volatile aromatic compounds that can effectively repel mosquitoes and insects, and after processing it can be used as medicine, with the effect of resolving phlegm and opening the orifices.
Chinese Ixora
Chinese ixora belongs to the Rubiaceae family. When in bloom, its flowers form clusters that look like hydrangeas, so it is also called "water hydrangea." It is also the national flower of Myanmar, and its flower meaning is "striving to be first," symbolizing a positive, upward spirit. Chinese ixora likes warmth and humidity and is suited to courtyard planting in the south; in the north it can be grown in pots, taking care to keep it warm in winter.
Eupatorium
Eupatorium has a rich fragrance just like mugwort. The ancients would wear eupatorium sachets, believing they could ward off foul qi and drive away insects. Its leaves are broader and larger than those of mugwort, and its scent is fresh without being pungent. Eupatorium is also a traditional Chinese medicine, with the effects of removing dampness and relieving summer heat, and it also has a certain anti-itch and anti-inflammatory action that can be used to relieve discomfort after mosquito bites.
Pomegranate Flower
The fifth month of the lunar calendar is when pomegranate flowers are in full bloom. Their dazzling red blooms add a festive atmosphere to the Dragon Boat Festival. In traditional culture, pomegranate flowers are regarded as an auspicious thing, carrying the meaning of warding off evil and bringing good fortune. Pomegranate flowers also have certain medicinal benefits. Their petals can be used to make tea and have a heat-clearing and detoxifying effect; the fruit rind can be used as medicine, with the effects of astringing the intestines to stop diarrhea and expelling parasites.