Common name: Korean Mint Pinyin: tu huo xiang Part used: Leaf ...

Atractylodes macrocephala, Koidz.Common name: Chinese Thistle DaisyPinyin: Bai ZhuPart used: rootFamily: AsteraceaePlant descriptionA prickly, hot pink flowering, uncommon herbaceous perennial, it resembles a thistle – but it is not.Grows 1-2’ tall in Northern California. Highly variable in form, from low growing compact plants totaller and looser, and from very prickly to less so. This plant grows in central eastern China and shouldbe hardy to about 10-20 degrees Fahrenheit. To see a detailed distribution map on the internet go toTropicos Flora of China Checklist Project at http://mobot.mobot.org/W3T/Search/FOC/projsfoc.html.PropagationEasy to germinate in the spring or fall with up to 90% germination rate. On-going germination from 14-30 days. Do not over water.Field productionTransplant out 8-12 week seedlings in spring on 8” to 1’ centers in the full sun. Keep on the drier side;roots have a tendency to rot. Seed is slow to mature.PestsNone.HarvestThis rarely grown but important medicinal is probably grown at least two or three years, beforeharvesting the root while the plant is dormant. Traditionally the root is sliced.Chinese Medicinal Herb Farmwww.chinesemedicinalherbfarm.com© Peggy Schafer 2008