Zi Shao Hua (Purple Sprout Flower) (Mass, many small pores, sponge-like)

Zi Shao Hua (Purple Sprout Flower) Bianshi (Speckled Spot)

【Name】

Zi Shao Hua (Purple Sprout Flower)

 【Source】

Shi Yi (Supplement to Materia Medica), Tu Jing Ben Cao (Illustrated Materia Medica)

 【Frequency of Use】

F

 【Botanical Source】

The colony of the freshwater sponge Spongilla fragilis (Lecidy) of the Spongillidae family.

 【Characteristics】

It is in the form of irregular masses or rods, varying in size, about 10cm long and 2-3cm in diameter. The center often contains aquatic plants or branches. The whole body is grayish-green with many small pores (water outlets), sponge-like. The small pores contain tiny round granules, which are gemmules. It is light in texture, and the cross-section shows a radial network. Gemmules can be seen in the mesh of the network, and they easily fall off when shaken. The taste is bland.

 【Category】

Invertebrates