Nao Yang Hua (Rhododendron Flower) (Several flowers clustered on a single stalk, yellowish-brown and shriveled, corolla bell-shaped with a long tube, anthers reddish-brown with terminal pore dehiscence, poisonous)

【Name】

Nao Yang Hua (Rhododendron Flower)

 【Source】

Shen Nong’s Herbal Classic – Lower Grade – Yang Zhizhu (Rhododendron molle)

 【Frequency of Use】

E

 【Botanical Origin】

It is the inflorescence of the rhododendron plant Rhododendron molle (Bl.) G. Don.

 【Characteristics】

The dried inflorescence is mostly shriveled, composed of 6-12 flowers clustered together on a single stalk, yellowish-gray to yellowish-brown. The corolla is bell-shaped, with the tip rolled inward, and sparsely covered with short, soft hairs on the surface. The stamens are relatively long, with curved filaments protruding beyond the corolla; some may have fallen off, and the anthers are egg-yolk yellow. The flowers are numerous, forming a terminal, short raceme that blooms simultaneously with the leaves. The calyx has 5 lobes, persistent, and covered with sparse fine hairs. The flowers are golden-yellow, the corolla is funnel-shaped, covered with fine hairs externally, and the apex is 5-lobed, with the lobes elliptical to ovate, the uppermost lobe being larger and having green spots. There are 5 stamens, equal in length to or slightly protruding from the corolla, covered with gray long hairs. The style is slender and longer than the stamens. The capsule is oblong-elliptical, dark brown when mature, with sparse stiff hairs, dehiscing loculicidally, and containing numerous small seeds.

 【Identification】

Good quality is indicated by being dry, yellowish-gray, and free of impurities.

 【Category】

Flowers