#20320 Dianthus amurensis, dong bei shi zhu, dianthus, Caryophyllaceae - Compact perennial, good for bedding and containers; blooms are an unusual purple and flower all summer into fall, height and size are about 8"; whole plant is said to stimulate digestive and urinary system, externally for skin inflammations and swelling, can be used as a substitute for qu mai.

Plant = $4.75

Seed = $3.00

#20330 Dianthus chinensis, qu mai, dianthus, Caryophyllaceae - Foliage looks like a soft mat of green, fragrant deep pink to magenta flowers bloom in late summer or early fall, grow this perennial in well- drained neutral to alkaline soil in full sun; said to be used for skin inflammations and swellings, roots are used locally in Nanjing, China for cancer--especially stomach cancer, excellent bedding plant for dry alkaline sites.

Plant = $5.00

#20340 Dianthus superbus, qu mai, fringed pink dianthus, Caryophyllaceae - Considered to be the main species for the medicine qu mai and originally collected in Japan through U.C. Berkeley B.G.; aromatic and grows 6-12" in neutral to alkaline soil in full sun; a bushy perennial with stunning fringed light to dark pink flowers that bloom all summer and fall; a bitter herb that is said to stimulate digestive and urinary systems, relieves fever.

Plant = $5.00

#21420 Digitalus lutea, foxglove, Scrophulariaceae. - Hardy upright perennial with smooth green leaves, grows to 30". Delicate spires of creamy yellow flowers bloom in summer; grow in well drained soil in part shade to sun; rarely used medicinally.

Plant = $3.50

#20380 Elsholtzia sp., dong zi su, elsholtzia, Lamiaceae/Labiatae - Original seed for this perennial herb was collected in the West Mtn. region of Kunming; it grows 12-14" in disturbed places such as fields and lots near buildings, likes contact with people, blooms are spikes of dark lavender, young shoots are used as a substitute for tea, it's medicine name is feng wei cha which means Phoenix Tail Tea; it is spicy and neutral and said to harmonize the stomach, moves qi, colds and flu symptoms, liver infections such as hepatitis.

Plant = $5.25

#20880 Elsholtzia stauntonii, mu xiang ru, aromatic madder, Lamiaceae/Labiatae - Perennial upright deciduous subshrub with purple-red stems, mint scented, grows 4' in rich moist soil in sun, numerous small lavender flowers bloom in late summer and leaves turn red in fall, attracts butterflies; leaves are said to be used for infections, astringent anti- diarrhea, nausea, vomiting.

Plant = $5.00

#20390 Gardenia jasminoides, zhi zi, cape jasmine fruit, Rubiaceae - Original seed from Guangxi B.G.; small evergreen bush with shiny leaves and fragrant yellowish-white blooms, grow in well-drained acid soil in sun or part shade, keep evenly moist; fruit is said to possess antibacterial and diuretic properties and used to treat fever, sore throat, checks bleeding, considered to have a major effect on the blood, (clearing heat and cooling blood), a poultice of pounded fresh leaves is said to be effective for wounds.

Plant = $4.50

#21430 Glycyrrhiza sp. licorice, Leguminosae/Papilionaceae - Handsome perennial with fan shaped leaves, flowers are 3" long and bloom white in summer; grows to 3' in well drained soil, sun or partial shade. Species and uses are still being researched.

Plant = $5.50

#21480 Hippeastrum 'papilio', Butterfly amaryllis, Amaryllidaceae - Exotically different with glossy everygreen leaves. Petals are ivory tinged lime heavily striped with cranberry. Grow bulb in well drained soil, in full sun to partial shade, hardy in Zone 9-10.

Plant = $10.00

#21440 Hypericum perforatum, St. John's wort, Guttiferae - Perennial evergreen shrub, yellow conspicuous flowers bloom in summer, grow in well drained soil in full sun. Yields red dye, hypericin, used as an antidepressant.

Plant = $4.00

#20600 Houttuynia cordata, yu xing cao, Saururaceae - Very hardy Chinese native; aromatic, aquatic herb grows in moist to wet soil, can withstand shallow water in partial shade, white bract- like flowers bloom in summer, rich autumn color; whole plant in said to be used for upper respiratory tract infections and urinary tract problems, externally for skin disorders, used in Vietnamese cooking.

Plant = $4.25  

#21450 Impatiens balsamina, ji xing zi, touch me not, Balsaminaceae- Large annual with red, salmone, coral to white flowers, re-seeds easily, grow in rocks to well-drained soil in sun, dried seed is said to disperse stagnant blood, increases uterine contractions, promotes contraception, removes toxin, disperses tumor.

Plant = $3.50

Seed = $3.00

#20440 Indigofera suffruticosa, jia lan dian, false blue indigo, Leguminosae - Source of bluish-black dye, which is made from steeping and fermenting leaves just before the plant flowers, tender perennial grows 3-5' in well-drained soil in sun, woody stemmed with compound leaves that close up at night, small flowers bloom in summer; stems, leaves and seeds are said to be bitter and cold, cools blood, relieves toxins, stops nose bleeds, also for skin itching and skin eruptions.

Plant = $4.25

#20870 Inula japonica, xuan fu hua, Japanese elecampane, Compositae - Original seed from IMPLAD in Beijing; sturdy perennial has upright stems and thick rhizomes, yellow daisy-like flowers bloom in summer into fall, grows 8-12" in moist well-drained soil in sun, native to wetlands in China, Japan, Korea and Manchuria; flowers are said to be used as an expectorant and have antibacterial properties, stimulates the digestive system.

 Plant = $5.00

Seed = $3.00

#21220 Jasminum mesnyi, ye ying chun, Primrose jasmine, Oleaceae - Native to warm temperate areas of China and found in ravines and woods; rambling evergreen shrub, glabrous branches with shining green leaves and showy free-flowering yellow blossoms; grow in rich well drained soil in part sun.

Plant = $5.00

#20460 Jasminum polyanthum, duo hua su xin, jasmine, Oleaceae - Vines are woody and twining with angular opposite leaves, grow in well-drained soil in sun, exquisitely scented white flowers bloom in summer, grows in valleys, thickets and woods in Guizhou, Sichuan and Yunnan, has a long history of use in perfumery, medicine and for flavoring tea, cultivated for aromatic oil; in traditional Chinese medicine the whole plant is used or just the flowers and is said to clear heat, relieve toxins, stops infections, moves blood, regulates qi.

Plant = $4.75

#21380 Kalanchoe pinnata, air plant, Crassulaceae - Primarily from Africa and Asia this herbaceous plant has thick, succulent, scalloped leaves with dark red or purple edges, inflorescence consists of a large number of green and purple flowers; cultivated as an ornamental grow in rich sandy soil in sun; leaves are said to be used in treating boils, internal bruises and broken bones, intestinal problems, also used to promote the healing of sores.

Plant = $5.00

#20780 Kalanchoe verticillata, hanging bell/cups, Crassulaceae - Everyone comments on this unique succulent from the Guangxi Botanical Gardens, originally from Africa and Madagascar, plant name is yang diao zhong; stout and slender with fleshy green speckled leaves, beautiful clusters of salmon-orange belled flowers bloom in winter; grow in rich, sandy soil in sun; whole plant is said to be used to clear heat and relieves toxins, external use for burns, wounds from scalds; also external for injuries with bleeding.

Plant = $6.00

#20480 Leonurus heterophyllus, yi mu cao, Chinese motherwort,Labiatae/Lamiaceae - Erect annual from China with branched stems and deep green veined leaves, small white or reddish purple flowers bloom in late summer; grows to about 3' in well-drained, moist soil in sun or part shade, research has proved that it has calming properties and all species are thought to have similar properties; whole plant is said to invigorate blood, diuretic, the seeds are also used as medicine "chong wei zi" and have similar properties including as an internal tea for cataracts.

Plant = $4.25

Seed = $3.00

#20500 Ligusticum jeholense, gao ben, Chinese lovage root, Umbelliferae/Apiacea Resembles parsley in appearance but grows much bigger, original seed is from IMPLAD in Beijing; delicate white flowers bloom in spring, a hardy perennial that grows 3' in well-drained to dry soil in sun; roots are said to ease the aches and pains caused by cold, and poor circulation.

Plant = $4.25

Seed = $3.00

#21470 Lillium formosum, Liliaceae - This beautiful lily has numerous dark green, linear lance-shaped leaves, very fragrant white trumpet shaped flowers flushed with reddish purple bloom in summer, grow in moist, acidic soil, hardy, in Taiwan markets the dried seed is used as a substitute for birthwort.

Plant = $5.00

#20530 Lobelia chinensis, ban bian lian, Chinese lobelia, Campanulaceae -Creeping perennial with slender leaves, pale-purple flowers bloom in summer, grows to 8" in rich, moist, soil in sun or part shade, in its natural habitat it grows in damp fields and on the edges of ditches; said to be used for snake bites, and has antifungal properties, used by qualified practitioners only.

Plant = $4.50

#21280 Lonicera japonica, jin yin hua, Japanese honeysuckle, Caprifoliaceae - Collected in Japan it's medicinal history dates to AD659, twining evergreen climber has ovate downy leaves, aromatic white flowers bloom in summer and fall, can become invasive, grow in well drained soil in sun to part shade; stems and floral buds are said to clear heat , relieves fire toxicity, upper respiratory tract infections, including pneumonia, wound infections.

 Plant = $5.00

#20910 Momordica balsamina (aka M. charantia), ku gua, bitter melon, Cucurbitaceae - Climbing annual with rich, dark green leaves, small yellow flowers form deep colored orange fruits that split and reveal brown speckled seeds; original seed from the U.S. Botanical Gardens; trellis or grow along a fence in neutral soil in sun; said to clear heat and relieve toxins, Prof. Chen Chong-ming of Nanjing Institute of Botany has found it VERY good for blood sugar imbalances in diabetes and for obesity, also promising research is being conducted for use in patients with HIV and cancer.

Plant = $5.00

Seed = $3.00

#20560 Monarda fistulosa, wild bergamot, Labiatae/Lamiaceae - This pungent, aromatic perennial attracts butterflies and hummingbirds, it can grow to 48" in light, dry, alkaline soil in sun, lilac flowers bloom summer to fall; whole plant and leaves are used to stimulate the digestion and increase perspiration.

Plant = $3.25