Qu Mai (Dianthus)
Qu Mai (Dianthus) Slices (Pith removed)
Qu Mai (Dianthus) (Stem cylindrical with branches, yellowish-green, nodes prominent, leaves shrunken and lanceolate, capsule long, seeds small)
【Naming】
【Source】
Classified as a middle-grade herb in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing (Divine Husbandman’s Classic of Materia Medica)
【Common Usage Level】
C
【Botanical Origin】
The dried aerial parts with flowers of Dianthus superbus L. or Dianthus chinensis L. of the Caryophyllaceae family.
【Characteristics】
(1) Dianthus superbus (Qu Mai): It is the dried whole herb of Dianthus superbus. The lower part is greenish-brown, and the upper part is light yellow with a slight luster. It is round and about 30 cm long. The stem is erect, smooth and hairless, and the nodes are slightly enlarged. Most of the leaves are intact, opposite, linear or linear-lanceolate, with prominent midrib. The entire flower is about 3-4 cm long and has a light yellow membranous persistent calyx. The calyx tube is about 3/4 of the entire flower. There are 4-6 small bracts under the calyx, which are light yellow and broadly ovate, about 1/4 of the calyx tube. The apex of the corolla is deeply divided into thin lines, light red or light purple. Sometimes capsules can be seen, which are oblong, wrinkled on the outside, and split at the top. The seeds are brown and flat. The stem is hollow, brittle, and easily broken. It has a faint odor and a slightly sweet taste.
(2) Dianthus chinensis (Shi Zhu Qu Mai): It is the dried whole herb of Dianthus chinensis, similar to Dianthus superbus. The base is a short sheath that clasps the stem, and the leaf tips are slightly curled back. However, the entire flower is about 3 cm long, the calyx tube is about 1/2 of the entire flower, and the small bracts under the calyx are about 1/2 of the calyx tube. The apex of the corolla is shallowly divided into serrations and is brownish-purple or brownish-yellow.
The petals of Dianthus chinensis have serrated tips, while the petals of Dianthus superbus have fringed tips.
【Identification】
The best quality is green, dry, free of weeds, roots, and unopened flowers. Those with many branches, purple flowers, and thorns are not used medicinally.
【Category】
Whole Herb