Status:
valid
Authors:
C.C.Huang
Source:
wcs
Year:
1979
Citation Micro:
Acta Phytotax. Sin. 17: 108 (1979)
WFO Identifier:
wfo-0000937585
Common Names
- Damnacanthus officinarum
- Officinarum Damnacanthus
- Pharmacy Damnacanthus
Description
Damnacanthus officinarum (also called 'medicinal thistle', among many other common names) is a species of flowering plant in the family Acanthaceae. It is native to China, Japan, and Korea, and is found in grasslands, forests, and rocky slopes.
Uses & Benefits
Damnacanthus officinarum is used in traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of fever, headaches, and sore throat. It is also used as an ornamental plant in gardens and parks.
Flower, Seeds and Seedlings
The flower of Damnacanthus officinarum is a small, white, star-shaped flower with five petals. The seed is a small, black seed enclosed in a thin, papery capsule. The seedlings are small, dark green, and have a single pair of leaves.
Cultivation and Propagation
Damnacanthus officinarum is a deciduous shrub that can be propagated from seeds or cuttings. Seeds should be sown in spring in a well-drained soil mix and kept moist. Cuttings should be taken in late summer or early autumn and planted in a well-drained soil mix. Keep the soil moist and provide bright, indirect light.
Where to Find Damnacanthus officinarum
Damnacanthus officinarum is native to China and can be found in moist forests.
Species in the Damnacanthus genus
Damnacanthus angustifolius,
Damnacanthus biflorus,
Damnacanthus giganteus,
Damnacanthus guangxiensis,
Damnacanthus hainanensis,
Damnacanthus henryi,
Damnacanthus indicus,
Damnacanthus labordei,
Damnacanthus macrophyllus,
Damnacanthus major,
Damnacanthus officinarum,
Damnacanthus okinawensis,
Damnacanthus tsaii,
Species in the Rubiaceae family
Acranthera abbreviata,
Acranthera anamallica,
Acranthera athroophlebia,
Acranthera atropella,
Acranthera aurantiaca,
Acranthera axilliflora,
Acranthera bullata,
Acranthera capitata,
Acranthera ceylanica,
Acranthera didymocarpa,
Acranthera endertii,
Acranthera frutescens,
Acranthera grandiflora,
Acranthera hallieri,
Acranthera hirtostipula,
Acranthera involucrata,
Acranthera johannis-winkleri,
Acranthera lanceolata,
Acranthera longipes,
Acranthera longipetiolata,
Acranthera maculata,
Acranthera megaphylla,
Acranthera monantha,
Acranthera nieuwenhuisii,
Acranthera ophiorhizoides,
Acranthera parviflora,
Acranthera philippensis,
Acranthera ruttenii,
Acranthera salmonea,
Acranthera siamensis,
Acranthera siliquosa,
Acranthera simalurensis,
Acranthera sinensis,
Acranthera strigosa,
Acranthera tomentosa,
Acranthera variegata,
Acranthera velutinervia,
Acranthera yatesii,
Acranthera philippinensis,
Acranthera burmanica,
Acranthera virescens,
Acranthera hoangii,
Acranthera collina,
Acrobotrys discolor,
Acrosynanthus jamaicensis,
Acrosynanthus latifolius,
Acrosynanthus minor,
Acrosynanthus ovatus,
Acrosynanthus parvifolius,
Acrosynanthus revolutus,