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Pulsatilla chinensis

Common name: Bai Tou Weng Family: Ranunculaceae
Author: (Bunge.)Regel. Botanical references: 74, 200, 266
Synonyms:  
Known Hazards: Although no mention has been seen for this species, at least one member of the genus is slightly toxic, the toxins being dissipated by heat or by drying the plant[65].
Range: E. Asia - N. China to E. Siberia.
Habitat: Dry grassy places and rocky hillsides[74, 187]. Forest margins and slopes at elevations of 200 - 3200 metres in China[266].
Edibility Rating (1-5): 0Medicinal Rating (1-5):3

Other Possible Synonyms:From various places across the web, may not be correct. See below.
Anemone chinensis[E,G]
Other Common Names:From various places around the Web, may not be correct. See below.
Bai Tou Weng [E], Hiroha-Okina-Gusa [E],
Systematics:From a USDA Plants Database
Order: Ranunculales. Buttercup family
Other Range Info: From the Ethnobotany Database
China

Physical Characteristics

Perennial growing to 0.3m. It is hardy to zone 6. It is in flower from March to May, and the seeds ripen from June to July. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Insects. We rate it 0/5 for edibility and 3/5 for medicinal use.

The plant prefers light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and requires well-drained soil. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soil. It cannot grow in the shade. It requires moist soil.

Habitats and Possible Locations

Cultivated Beds.

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal Uses

Disclaimer

Analgesic Antiinflammatory Antispasmodic Cardiotonic Hypnotic Sedative.

Bai Tou Weng is thought to clear toxicity and to lower fever. It is most commonly taken as a decoction to counter infection within the gastro-intestinal tract[254].
The root is anodyne, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, astringent and sedative[174, 176, 218]. The root is an effective cure for bacterial and amoebic dysentery[176, 218]. It is also used in the treatment of malaria, nose bleeds and haemorrhoids and is used externally to treat Trichomonas vaginitis[176, 254]. The root is harvested in the autumn or before the plant comes into flower in the spring, it can be dried for later use[254].
The root contains the lactone protoanemonin which has an irritant and antibacterial action. Protoanemonin is destroyed when the root is dried[254].
The fresh herb is a cardiac and nervous sedative, producing a hypnotic state with a diminution of the senses followed by a paralysing action[218].
A constituent similar to digitalis can be extracted from the whole herb with the roots removed[176]. This is cardiotonic[176].

Other Uses

None known

Cultivation details

Requires a well-drained humus-rich gritty soil and a sunny position[200]. Tolerates alkaline soils[200].
Plants are hardy to about -20° c[187]. They are said to be difficult to grow in Britain, requiring a dry winter and spring followed by a warm humid summer[187].
Large plants have a deep woody rootstock and transplant badly[200].
A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes[54].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in early summer in a cold frame. The seed usually germinates in about 2 - 3 weeks. Sow stored seed in late winter in a cold frame. Germination takes about 1 - 6 months at 15° c. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in the spring.
Root cuttings, 4cm long taken in early winter, potted up in a mixture of peat and sand[175]. They can also be taken in July/August, planted vertically in pots in a greenhouse or frame.

Suppliers

For more details of plant suppliers please see our Suppliers Page which lists many more places to look.

Web References

References for Anemone chinensis (a possible synonym).

References for the family Ranunculaceae.

See the PFAF Links Pages for other sources.

Also try Photos and info from the The Plants Database which has 14,000 images.

References

[54] Hatfield. A. W. How to Enjoy your Weeds. Frederick Muller Ltd 1977 ISBN 0-584-10141-4
Interesting reading.

[65] Frohne. D. and Pfänder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Wolfe 1984 ISBN 0723408394
Brilliant. Goes into technical details but in a very readable way. The best work on the subject that I've come across so far.

[74] Komarov. V. L. Flora of the USSR. Israel Program for Scientific Translation 1968
An immense (25 or more large volumes) and not yet completed translation of the Russian flora. Full of information on plant uses and habitats but heavy going for casual readers.

[174] Kariyone. T. Atlas of Medicinal Plants.
A good Japanese herbal.

[175] Bird. R. (Editor) Focus on Plants. Volume 5. (formerly 'Growing from seed') Thompson and Morgan. 1991
Very readable magazine with lots of information on propagation. A good article on Corydalis spp.

[176] Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles 1985
A very good Chinese herbal.

[187] Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991 ISBN 0-330-30936-9
Photographs of over 3,000 species and cultivars of ornamental plants together with brief cultivation notes, details of habitat etc.

[200] Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

[218] Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985 ISBN 0-917256-20-4
Details of over 1,200 medicinal plants of China and brief details of their uses. Often includes an analysis, or at least a list of constituents. Heavy going if you are not into the subject.

[254] Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996 ISBN 9-780751-303148
An excellent guide to over 500 of the more well known medicinal herbs from around the world.

[266] Flora of China 1994
On-line version of the Flora - an excellent resource giving basic info on habitat and some uses.

Readers Comments

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Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future - Species Database. Copyright (c) 1997-2003.
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