So the friendship plant does have other names too - what are its aliases?

Aliases of the friendship plant

Yidianjin, Jinxiancao, Cuipingcao

Morphological characteristics of the friendship plant

The friendship plant is a perennial succulent herbaceous plant, hairless, growing in clumps, with a rhizome. The stem is erect, thick, unbranched, 2-13 cm tall, 5-10 mm thick, with very dense nodes, greenish, turning brown when dry.

The leaves are clustered at the top of the stem; the upper part of the stem is densely covered with scale-like stipules, and the leaf scars are large and semicircular. The leaf blades are succulent, becoming papery when dry, nearly round or round-ovate, 2.5-9 cm long, 2-8 cm wide, shield-shaped on the leaf stalk, with a blunt or rounded tip, a rounded or slightly notched base, and entire or slightly wavy margins; the upper surface is green, the lower surface grayish green, finely honeycomb-like when dry, with cystoliths in the form of fine rods.

Growth habits of the friendship plant

The friendship plant prefers shade, but also grows well in a sunny greenhouse; the suitable growth temperature is 16-20°C.

It is suitable for growing in relatively moist and well-drained peat soil. It is very shade-tolerant; it can grow as long as there is enough light to read an ordinary newspaper, so it is very suitable for indoor potted cultivation at home.

It likes a warm, humid environment; below -4°C, cold damage occurs, the leaves lose their luster and may even fall off. It likes loose, well-drained loam rich in humus; you can take humus soil from shady mountain woodlands, or make a mix from leaf mold and peat with a little river sand, coal ash, and base fertilizer.

In warm regions it flowers and sets seed easily; the friendship plant is relatively cold-tolerant, and in the south it can overwinter safely outdoors.

Uses of the friendship plant

Ornamental: After the friendship plant was introduced to Europe in the early 20th century, it has been introduced and cultivated by botanical gardens and gardening enthusiasts in countries such as the UK, Sweden, and Norway, and is regarded as a treasure among indoor foliage flowers, deeply loved by people.

Its leaf shape is peculiar and its posture is beautiful. It grows quickly. It is easy to propagate and suitable for cultivation in greenhouses, courtyards, and indoors. It is a relatively ideal foliage plant worth promoting, and it is also a good material for making and decorating bonsai.

Medicinal: The whole plant of the friendship plant can be used as medicine; it has anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effects, and is used for erysipelas and bone setting. There are records about treating swelling and pain in the Dian Yao Lu.

Flower language of the friendship plant

One should be open and aboveboard