#20610 Ocimum basilicum var., Greek columnar basil, Labiatae/Lamiaceae - A non-flowering culinary basil that tastes great, column shaped tender perennial allows us to have fresh basil all year; grows up to 3' in rich, well-drained soil in sun, use as a flavoring in salads, on fresh tomatoes and pasta dishes, rub a little on yourself to keep insects at bay.

Plant = $3.50

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#20970 Ophiopogon sp. (probably japonicus), mai men dong, snakes beard, Liliaceae - Tender perennial grass-like evergreen; with graceful dark green leaves that grow in shady damp ground; tuberous root is harvested in summer and said to be used for cough, thirst and anxiety; Zone 7-10.

Plant = 5.50

#21160 Patrinia scabiosaefolia, huang hua bai jiang cao, Valerianaceae - Easy to grow perennial, hardy to Zone 6, Copper colored leaves with aromatic golden-yellow flowers that bloom in clusters in summer; grow in well drained soil in sun or part shade, will spread by underground runners, said to clear heat, relieves toxins, and expels pus, may be taken internally or applied topically.

Plant = $4.00

#21260 Patrinia villosa,bai hua bai jiang cao,Valerianaceae - Easy perennial to grow and similar to P. scabiosaefolia except leaves are green and flowers are white, the blooms are in clusters of white and are aromatic; grow in well drained soil in sun or part shade, used the same as P. scabiosaefolia, also used for post partum pain, and more recently for postoperative pain.

Plant = $4.00

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#20960 Petasites japonicus, feng dou cai, Japanese coltsfoot, Compositae - Similar to our coltsfoot in that it is one of the first plants to bloom in the spring; large blooms with small white flowers appear in early spring followed by large light green fan shaped leaves, as leaves mature they become darker, grows in rich well-drained soil in shade; roots and runners are said to be bitter, spicy and cooling, clears toxins, removes blockages, reduces swelling, stops pain, tonsil infections, swollen abscesses with toxins and sores, poisonous snake bites, injuries, stems are steamed and eaten in Japan.

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Plant = $8.00

#20620 Physalis peruviana, deng long guo, Cape gooseberry, Solanaceae - Deng long is the name of the ancient Chinese paper lanterns and guo means fruit; attractive furry leaved tender perennial grows in well- drained soil in sun; fruits are harvested when ripe and used fresh as juice or in jam making, dried leaves are picked in summer and used as a fresh poultice; whole plant is said to clear heat, moves qi, stops pain, cough, abdominal fullness, stops colds and flu.

Plant = $4.00

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#21170 Pinellia ternata, ban xia, pinellia, Araceae - This tuberous perennial was first recorded in AD 25-220 during the Han dynasty; it has trifoliate adult leaves that grow on bulb-bearing stalks, eye-catching inflorescence appear in summer; grow in moist humus rich soil in part shade; dried tubers are said to be used for coughs with damp cold phlegm, nausea and vomiting.

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Plant = $5.00

#21100 Piper nigrum, hu jiao, black pepper, Piperaceae - More commonly used for mixing flavors in food than in medicine, it was first recorded in the Tang pen tsao; tropical climber with leathery black-green leaves, green berries first turn to red and then to black peppercorns; grow in tropical greenhouse in rich well-drained soil in sun or in Zone 11; said to strengthen the stomach, increases appetite in small doses.

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Plant = $5.00

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#21490 Platycodon grandiflorum, jie geng, balloon flower, Campanulaceae - Compact perennial with ovate blue tinged leaves, in summer clusters of balloon like buds open to bell shaped purple blue flowers, roots are said to be used for kidney deficiency.

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Plant = $4.00

#20670 Pogostemon cablin, guang huo xiang, patchouli, Labiatae/Lamiaceae - Aromatic tender perennial, to maintain a compact shape keep pinched back; grows in moist soil with part shade, it enjoys temperatures between 61-64 degrees with high humidity, contains essential oils; leaves and oil are said to act as a diuretic, lowers fever, improves digestion, tonic and sedative effect on nervous system, reputedly is an aphrodisiac.

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Plant = $5.00

#20650 Polygonum chinense, huo tan mu cao, fire coal mother grass Polygonaceae Perennial with dark, shiny green leaves makes an excellent ground cover, small white to light pink flowers bloom in late summer; grows in well-drained neutral soil in sun or part shade; said to be sour, sweet and cooling, stem and roots are used, clears heat, dries dampness, cools blood, relieves toxins; for diarrhea, dysentery, jaundice, sores with swelling, clouded mind for weakness/deficiency, injuries.

Plant = $4.25

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#20630 Polygonum multiflorum, he shou wu, Chinese cornbind, Polygonaceae Collected in Kunming; leaves are dark green and heart shaped with red veins; hardy deciduous climber, grow in rich moist soil with extra peat and sand in part shade; important tonic herb in Chinese medicine, roots are said to increase longevity, effective against many bacterial infections, clears toxins, lowers blood sugar and cholesterol levels.

Plant = $5.50

#20640 Polygonum multiflorum, he shou wu, Chinese cornbind, Polygonaceae This species is the more commonly found species, leaves are heart shaped and solid green, hardy deciduous climber, very important in Chinese medicine and native to southwestern China; roots are said to have a rejuvenating effect on the liver, reproductive, urinary and circulatory systems.

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Plant = $5.00

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#20660 Polygonum orientale, hong cao, red grass/herb, Polygonaceae - Tall annual which grows up to 6', leaves grow to 10" in well-drained soil in full sun, bright pink to rose flowers bloom in dense 3-4" spikes or fingers in summer, re-seeds easily; roasted or steamed seeds are eaten in China, seeds are said to cleanse lungs, brighten eyes and breath, whole plant is also used as medicine for wind damp joint infections, malaria, foot fungus, swollen sores.

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Plant = $4.25

Seed = $3.00

#21530 Psoralea corylifolia, bu gu zhi, scrufy pea, Leguminosae - Upright annual with scalloped leaves and deep purple blue flowers which bloom in summer; grow in well drained soil in sun or part shade; seed is said to be used for kidney deficiency.

Plant = $3.50

#20680 Rehmannia glutinosa, sheng di huang, Chinese foxglove root, Scrophulariaceae - Perennial with purple-green furry leaves and a thick orange tuberous root, it is one of the 50 most important herbs used in Chinese medicine dating back to the Han dynasty (206 BC-AD 23); grows in light, moist, neutral to sandy soil in sun, flowers are purple-brown to reddish yellow and bloom in spring; fresh and dried roots are said to be used in different ways ranging from a blood tonic to having antibacterial properties.

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Plant = $6.00

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#20690 Ricinus communis, bi ma zi, bi ma gen, bi ma ye, castor bean, Euphorbiaceae - Evergreen shrub with red stems and large toothed leaves, reaching heights of 6-40', grows in well drained rich soil in sun, it has been cultivated for 6,000 years, all parts of the plant are poisonous; although the oil is said NOT to contain poison, (which is why people in the west have used castor oil for a long time); the seeds, roots, oil and leaves are said to be used internally and externally, skin sores, reduces swelling, clear toxins, free stagnation, remove undigested food, also used in making crayons, candles, varnishes, lubricating oils and as an insect repellent for cockroaches.

Plant = $3.25

Seed = $3.00

#21150 Rivia corymbosa, snake vine, Convolvulaceae - Sacred medicinal vine used in Mexican healing practices; sub- tropical plant with acute glabrous leaves and masses of tubular flowers that can bloom up to twice a year; grow in tropical greenhouse in rich well-drained soil in sun or part sun.

Plant = $15.00

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 #21500 Rosa rugosa, mei gui hua, Japanese rose, Rosaceae - Deciduous shrub with prickly stems and dark green leaves, fragrant purple-pink flowers bloom in summer followed by red rose hips; grows 3-6' in well drained fertile slightly acid soil in full sun; flowers and fruit are said to be used for poor appetite and digestion, promotes movement of qi

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Plant = $8.00

#21360 Salix chaenomeloides, Chinese pussy willow, Salicaceae - Graceful non- invasive shrub with catkins 1'to 3''long brighten up the winter months; grow in neutral soil in full sun; inner bark and leaves can be eaten in times of famine.

Plant = $10.00

#21050 Salvia cavaleriei, gui zhou shu wei cao, rat's/mouse tail grass, Labiatae - Tender perennial native to So. China; leaves are oval and soft, foliage turns in the fall, flowers are blue-purple to purple-red and bloom from July to Sept.; grow in rich well-drained soil in part sun to shade, taproot is robust; whole plant is said to be used to cool the blood and relieve toxins, used externally to treat injuries from falls, fractures, contusions and strains.

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Plant = $5.00

#20850 Salvia divinorum, Lamiaceae/Labiatae - Tropical perennial, native to northeastern Oaxaca, Mexico; square hollow stems reach 6-10'and bare fertile looking green leaves up to 8" long, white to blue flowers bloom on spikes that grow 14-16" in rich, moist soil in part sun; said to be used by shamans in healing ceremonies.

Plant = $20.00

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#21040 Salvia miltiorrhiza, dan shen, salvia root, Labiatae - Perennial with an erect stem and branched downy leaves, blue-purple flowers are grouped in clusters and bloom in summer; grow in rich well-drained soil in sun or part shade, said to be used for irregular menstruation, abdominal pain, irritability and insomnia.

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Plant = $6.00

#21060 Salvia przewalskii,Gansu dan shen, Labiatae - Perennial with gray-green densely pubescent leaves, stems are branched from the base and compact, flowers are deep purple and bloom in the summer; grow in rich well-drained soil in sun, plants are used the same as Salvia miltiorrhiza in Gansu province; root are said to remove blood stagnation, cools the blood to regulate menses, eliminate/relieve restlessness/ irritation/agitation, flowers for chronic cough, hepatitis.

Plant = $6.00

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#21510 Salvia sp., Labiatae - This stricking annual grows 3-4', deep red spikes bloom all summer, it's from the original collection but has yet to be identified, very beautiful.

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Plant = $3.50

#20700 Saposhnikovia divaricata, fang feng, guard against wind, Umbelliferae - Hardy perennial with dark green celery like leaves grows about 12" in well-drained soil in sun, original seed from IMPLAD in Beijing; tiny white blooms flower in autumn, native to Inner Mongolia and Hebei it grows in grassland and on slopes; roots are said to alleviate pain, common cold, headache, dizziness, migraine, rheumatic arthritis.

Plant = $4.75

#20710 Saxifraga fortunei, hua zhong hu er cao, Saxifragaceae - "Hua" means China and "Zhong" means "middle" referring to the plant being found in Hubei which is in the middle of China; hardy perennial with dark green oval leaves, makes a perfect ground cover in rich well drained soil in shade, clears heat and reduces toxins internally and externally, properties and usage are similar to S. stolonifera, also makes a nice hanging basket

Plant = $4.50

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#20770 Saxifraga stolinifera, hu er cao, Strawberry begonia, Saxifragaceae - Ground cover hardy perennial has red-green furry leaves with small white flowers that bloom in spring, often called "mother of thousands" it also does well in a hanging basket in rich well- drained soil in part shade or shade; said to be great for ear infections by using the fresh juice directly into the ear, controls bleeding, removes toxins, controls pain, insect stings, hemorrhoids.

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Plant = $4.50

#20720 Schizonepeta tenuifolia, jing jie, Japanese catnip, Labiatae/Lamiaceae -One of the most pleasant aromatic plants I have in the collection; this annual/biannual is erect with small leaves and inconspicuous flowers that bloom in summer, grows 6-18" in rich, sandy soil in sun; whole plant is said to be used for the common cold, headache, fever, sore throat, alleviates itching, scabies, a rare plant to obtain in the west and important in Chinese medicine.

Plant = $4.50

Seed = $3.00

#21520 Scrophularia buergeriana, xuan shen, Scrophulariacea - Perennial with dark green ovate leaves, flowers are purple and bloom in late summer, grow in moist soil in sun or part shade; roots are salty and resemble ginseng, roots are said to be used to nourish the yin, dispels heat, purges fire, removes toxins, cancer, tumors.

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Plant = $4.00

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#20740 Scrophularia nodosa, common figwort, Scrophulariaceae - In Europe this plant has long been used for treating skin diseases; a strong smelling perennial, it has green ovate leaves and small brownish green flowers that bloom in summer, grow in moist to wet soil in sun or part shade; whole plant is said to be diuretic, alternative herb that is mildly laxative, relieves pain and stimulates the liver, internally for skin diseases, fungal infections, wounds, burns.

Plant = $4.00

Seed = $3.00

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#20750 Scutellaria baicalensis, huang qin, Baikal skullcap, Labiatae/Lamiaceae - Low growing perennial that dates back to the Han dynasty (AD25-220); research in China has found that is greatly improves liver function, one of the three yellow herbs, this spreading herb grows to 16" in light, well-drained soil in sun or part shade, can tolerate drought, roots are said to relieve fever, lower blood pressure, stimulate liver, common cold

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Plant = $6.00

Seed = $3.00

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#20760 Siegesbeckia sp., xi xian cao, siegesbeckia, Compositae - Collected near Golden Temple in Nanjing; an annual which re-seeds easily, grows to 24" in well-drained soil in sun, leaves are furry green, tinged with red, flowers are yellow and bloom in fall, top blooms secrete a sticky substance; whole plant is said to mainly treat wind- damp-heat, or inflammatory muscle joint pains/conditions, also used to help lower blood pressure.

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Plant = $3.25

Seed = $3.00

#21210 Solandra maxima (nitida), cup of gold, Solanaceae - Ethnobotanical plant native to Mexico; clambering tropical vine with glossy leathery leaves and large chalice-shaped flowers starting out pure white then turning yellow with red-purple stripes, blooms in December - February; grow in a tropical greenhouse or Zone 10.

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Plant = $12.00

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#20810 Solanum aculeatissima, ye dian qie, type of nightshade, Solanaceae - Climbing tree with spine covered leaves make this plant very unusual; a tender perennial, it grows in well-drained soil in sun or part shade, white flowers bloom and form round, green speckled fruit that turn yellow when ripe; whole plant is said to be bitter, neutral, warming and poisonous, it is used for cough with asthma, pain from blockages, wheezing and panting, wind pipe infections, stomach pain and pain from wind-damp, injury and trauma.

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Plant = $6.00

Seed = $3.00

#21200 Solanum lyratum, bai ying, Solanaceae - First recorded in Shen nung pen tsao ching, an herbaceous perennial vine with hairy leaves and small blue-purple or white flowers that bloom in summer forming red berries; grow in well drained soil in sun; stems are said to be used to treat convulsions in infants, branches and leaves for clearing away heat and cooling the blood, believed to have anti-cancer properties when decocted with jujube.

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Plant = $5.00

Seed = $3.00

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#21550 Stapelia gigantea, carrion flower, Asclepiadaceae - Succulent from low, hilly, rocky terrain growing in tropical Africa; fleshy stems branch from the bases to form large clumps, star-shaped often fowl smelling flowers bloom in fall and are pollinated by flies, grow under cover minimum 52 degrees in rich sandy soil in sun, likes mid day shade.

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Plant = $7.00

#20790 Talinum paniculatum, tu ren shen, earth ginseng, Portulacaceae - Annual, re-seeds easily, beautiful glossy leaves with tiny magenta flowers that open in the evening and bloom all summer, blooms turn to little red balls; grow in rich soil in sun; roots are said to be sweet and neutral, it strengthens the spleen and lungs, stops cough, regulates menses; used for spleen qi deficiency, tiredness, night sweats and spontaneous day sweats, irregular menses.

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Plant = $4.00

Seed = $3.00

#20830 Taraxacum sp. (probably T. mongolicum?), pu gong ying, dandelion, Compositae/Asteraceae - Collected in Beijing, more compact and smaller in size than our native species; grow in moist to dry soil in sun, deadhead to prevent seeding other areas; whole plant it said to be used for breast and lung tumors, infections and the liver, makes a great spring tonic!

Plant = $3.00

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#20840 Tussilago farfara, kuan dong hua, coltsfoot, Compositae/Asteraceae -This creeping perennial is one of the first plants to bloom in spring; flowers look like small dandelions and large colt's footprint shaped leaves appear after blooms, grows in moist, neutral soil in sun or part shade; flowers and flowers buds are said to be used internally to treat asthma with cough, clinical research has shown benefits to the respiratory system and in the treatment of pulmonary disease.

Plant = $4.25

#20920 Urtica dioica, stinging nettle, Urticaceae - Stinging perennial with creeping roots, invasive; grow in rich soil in sun or part shade, young leaves can be picked to make a wonderful spring tonic or cooked like spinach, whole plant is said to be used to clear toxins, controls bleeding, astringent, diuretic, juice from leaves seems to counteract stinging when touched.

Plant = $4.00

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#20930 Valeriana officinalis, xie cao, valerian, Valerianaceae - The original seed comes from a collector in Scotland, grows 5' in rich soil in shade or part shade and makes a fine tall plant for woodland gardens, dense clusters of white flowers bloom in early summer; has a long medicinal history, rhizomes, roots and oil are said to be used as a sedative, calms the nerves, relaxes spasms, improves digestion, relieves pain.

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Plant = $4.00

#20940 Viola spp., violet, Violaceae - Violets have long held a place in history; perennial with narrow leaves and light lavender to purple flowers which bloom in spring and late fall, grow in rich well-drained soil in part sun; said to clear heat and toxins, internally and externally, including AIDS and also cancer, fresh leaves can be used for ear/nose/skin sores or infections in combination with other herbs.

Plant = $4.00

Seed = $3.00

#21270 Viola dissecta, ding du cao, boil/furuncle toxic grass, Violaceae - The plant name is lie ye jin cai or spilt leaf violet; beautiful tender perennial has dissected leaves and white flowers that bloom in the winter and spring; grow in rich humus soil in part sun; whole plant is said to be used to clear heat and relieve toxins, reduces swollen carbuncles, used to treat non-specific toxic swellings.

Plant = $5.00

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#20510 Viola grypoceras, ki huang gua, earth cucumber, Violaceae - Nice round compact viola, small heart shaped leaves, small white flowers bloom in spring and summer; grow in part sun in rich soil; whole plant said to be used to clear heat and relieve toxins, stops bleeding, for knife wounds, swelling and pain from falls.

Plant = $5.00

#20890 Xanthium sp. (probably X. strumarium?), cang er zi, cocklebur, Compositae - First mentioned in traditional Chinese medicine during the Tang dynasty (AD 618-907), original seed is from Guangxi B.G.; portly annual with thick lobed leaves, flowers are pale green and form burr like fruits, grows 8-36" in poor, dry soil in sun, invasive; fruits are pleasant tasting and said to have antibacterial and antifungal properties, relieves pain and relaxes spasms.

Plant = $3.50

Seed = $3.00

#20950 Ziziphus spinosa, suan zao ren, spiny Chinese date, Rhamnaceae - Spiny deciduous shrub has long been cultivated in China; grow in well-drained neutral soil in sun, hardy, small cream colored flowers bloom in summer in 2-3 clusters; fruits taste sour, seed is said to be used for insomnia, calms the spirit.

Plant = $10.00

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