What are the other names for white caltrop and what is the price per jin?
White caltrop is a plant commonly found on hillsides, sandy ground and wasteland, and it is distributed across many parts of our country. When white caltrop is fresh and green it can be used as fodder, and its fruit can be used as medicine, with the effects of improving eyesight and promoting blood circulation. In addition, the fruit spines of white caltrop are harmful plants on grassland, and they also attach to the fur of animals, damaging the quality of their fur. Let us take a look below at what the other names for white caltrop are and roughly how much it costs per jin.
I. A brief introduction to white caltrop
1. Other names for white caltrop
White caltrop has many other names: Mingci, caltrop, Pangtong, Zhixing, Quren, Xiuyu, Shengtui.
2. Form of white caltrop
The stems of white caltrop lie flat on the ground and are without fine hairs; the branches are about 20 to 60 cm long, and the leaves are even-pinnate compound leaves no more than 5 cm long. The flowers of white caltrop are yellow, the flower stalks are relatively short, and the number of petals is five; the flowering period is from May to August.
The fruit of white caltrop is relatively hard, 4 to 6 mm long, hairless, with two sharp spines on the middle edge and small spines below; the fruiting period is from June to September.
3. Distribution of white caltrop
It is distributed in temperate regions around the world, and is commonly found on sandy ground, wasteland, hillsides, fields near residential areas, roadsides and grass by rivers. In our country it mainly appears in provinces such as Henan, Shandong, Hebei, Anhui, Sichuan, Jiangsu, Shanxi and Shaanxi.
4. Medicinal value of white caltrop
White caltrop tastes slightly bitter, and is generally used as medicine after processing; common processing methods include fried caltrop and salted caltrop. Its main effects are treating dizziness, rubella, breast pain, chest pain, and body edema. The specific method of use should be determined according to a doctor's advice.
In addition, white caltrop has effects such as anti-aging, tonifying yang, and effects on the cardiovascular system, cerebrovascular system, and lowering blood sugar.
5. Planting method for white caltrop
The commonly used planting method is sowing its seeds; in August and September each year, select mature, plump, large greenish-white fruits and store them after drying for later use. When ready to sow, place them on a roller and crush them so that the fruit valves separate, then remove the shell residue and fruit spines, and select clean seeds for sowing.
6. Sowing time for white caltrop
From late March to early April each spring, when the temperature rises and the earth warms up, it is relatively suitable for its seeds to grow.
II. Roughly how much does white caltrop cost per jin?
At present, the price of white caltrop varies somewhat from place to place, and is also affected by time on the market, specifications, place of origin, quality and so on. For example, the current caltrop price at the Bozhou market is relatively stable: green-colored, spine-removed unified goods are 20 yuan, and yellow-colored, spine-removed unified goods are 15.5-16.5 yuan. The production area of Jarud Banner, Tongliao City, Inner Mongolia has relatively sufficient supply; the price of green-colored caltrop is around 11 yuan, and the price of unified goods is between 8-9 yuan.