Atractylodes macrocephala
{{Short description|Species of plant}}
{{Speciesbox
| image = baizhu roots.jpg
| image_caption = Dried roots of A. macrocephala
| genus = Atractylodes
| species = macrocephala
| authority = Koidz.{{GRIN | accessdate=2008-02-11 }}
}}
{{infobox Chinese
|title=Atractylodes macrocephala
|t=白朮
|s=白术
|p=báizhú
|mi={{IPAc-cmn|b|ai|2|zh|u|2}}
|j=baak6seot6
|ci={{IPAc-yue|b|aak|6|s|eot|6}}
}}
Atractylodes macrocephala ({{zh|s=白术|t=白朮|p=báizhú}}) is a species of Atractylodes that grows in central China. The roots are consumed as a Chinese herbal medicine.{{cite web |url=https://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Atractylodes+macrocephala |title=Atractylodes macrocephala |publisher=Plants For A Future}}
Description
Atractylodes macrocephala are herbs that reach a size of 20-60 cm in height. Thick rhizome. Stem branched from the base, glabrous. Leaves similar to paper, glabrous. The middle cauline leaves petiolate, petiole 3-6 cm; leaf blade divided almost at the base into 3-5 segments, lateral segments entire or bipartite, oblanceolate to narrowly elliptical, 4.5-7 x 1.5-2 cm, with the terminal segment being the largest. The tall cauline leaves are similar but smaller. Outer bracts sessile, elliptical/narrowly elliptical, entire margin; the inner bracts pinnatisects. Involucre broadly campanulate, 3-4 cm in diameter. Phyllaries are numerous, imbricated, with white cobwebby margin and apex obtuse; outer phyllaries ovate to triangular, 6-8 × 3-4 mm, bracts lanceolate. Corolla red-purple, 1.7 cm. Achene obconic, 7.5 mm, hairs white. Dirty white papus, 1.7 cm. Flowers and fruits from August to October. It has a chromosome number of 2n = 24 *.{{Cite web |title=Atractylodes macrocephala in Chinese Plant Names @ efloras.org |url=http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=3&taxon_id=200023528 |access-date=2021-09-03 |website=www.efloras.org}}
Distribution
Uses
Atractylodes macrocephala is cultivated throughout China. The rhizomes, called Bái zhú (白术) are used in traditional Chinese medicine for multiple medicinal purposes, especially those concerning spleen issues and other gastrointestinal issues.{{Cite journal |date=2018-11-15 |title=The traditional uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacology of Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz.: A review |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378874118315964 |journal=Journal of Ethnopharmacology |language=en |volume=226 |pages=143–167 |doi=10.1016/j.jep.2018.08.023 |issn=0378-8741|last1=Zhu |first1=Bo |last2=Zhang |first2=Quan-Long |last3=Hua |first3=Jin-wei |last4=Cheng |first4=Wen-Liang |last5=Qin |first5=Lu-Ping |pmid=30130541 |s2cid=52058918 |url-access=subscription }} Modern research shows A. macrocephala contains many pharmacologically active chemical compounds.
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Wikispecies-inline}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q8208640}}