Shan Ci Gu (Lightbulb Tulip Bulb)
Mao Ci Gu (Hairy Bulb) (Jade Belt Around Waist) (Conical, brownish-red, finely wrinkled segmented ring)
Mao Ci Gu Slices
Mao Ci Gu Enlarged (Interspersed with yellowish-white and black)
【Naming】
【Source】
Song Jiayou
【Common Usage Level】
D
【Botanical Origin】
The dried bulb of Tulipa edulis Baker of the Liliaceae family and Cremastra appendiculata (D. Don.) Makino of the Orchidaceae family.
【Characteristics】
(1) Lightbulb Tulip Bulb (Guang Ci Gu): The dried bulb is conical or ovoid, about 0.7-1.5 cm high and about 0.5-1 cm in diameter. The base is round and concave, with root scars. The upper end is sharply pointed, with a longitudinal groove extending from the base to the top on one side. The surface is yellowish-white and smooth, with a hard and brittle texture. The cross-section is yellowish-white, powdery, odorless, and tasteless.
(2) Hairy Bulb (Mao Ci Gu): The dried bulb of Cremastra appendiculata is conical, about 2-4 cm long and 1.5-2.5 cm in diameter. The outer surface is yellowish-white to brownish-gray. The top has a depression (a scar of bud or leaf). Some still have fragments of scale leaves. The periphery and lower part of the rhizome are distributed with many small concave points (root scars), with longitudinal wrinkles. The enlarged part has 2-3 slightly raised segments, arranged like a ring near the upper end. There are filamentous vascular bundles left after the scale leaves dry and rot on the segments. The texture is hard, and the cross-section is grayish-white, slightly powdery, and sticky.
【Identification】
《Compilation of Experienced Prescriptions》: “Shan Ci Gu, the one with many rootlets is genuine.”《Jiangnang Cuoyao》: “Shan Ci Gu, the one produced in Chuzhou and with hairs is genuine.”
(1) Lightbulb Tulip Bulb: The larger, drier, whiter, and fuller body is better.
(2) Hairy Bulb: The larger, rounder, with obvious golden-yellow rings of 1-2 circles, commonly known as “Jade Belt Around Waist”, hard texture, translucent, bright color, and jade white is better.
【Identification Terminology】
1. Jade Belt Around Waist (Jade Belt, Waistband): It is an identification feature of Shan Ci Gu (Cremastra appendiculata). There are 2-3 obvious golden-yellow rings in the middle waist of its pseudobulb, which are segments, like hoops on a waist drum. The Cremastra appendiculata is in the middle part, and the Pleione bulbocodioides is at the bottom.
【Chapter】
Rhizomes