A perennial herb forming dense clumps, and growing up to 50 cm tall. Bulb is indistinct, narrowly ovoid, about 2 cm x 1.5 cm. Leaves 4-9, blades flat above, slightly keeled below; Scape 1, compressed, solid. Inflorescence many-flowered, without bulbils. Flowers have white tepals, stamens and style about as long as tepals. Fruits are 5-6 mm in diameter. Seeds are 3-4 mm long.

Antibacterial, cardiac, depurative, digestive, stimulant, anti-emetic, stomachic and tonic (plant); antiseptic and vulnerary (leaves and bulbs); as antiseptic mouthwash, carminative and stomachic (seeds).

PROSEA (Plant Resources of South-East Asia) Foundation
Plants For A Future database

Used against tumours and intestinal disorders, to treat pulmonary infections, fatigue, urinary incontinence, kidney and bladder weaknesses (plant); against toothache and to treat spermatorrhoea (seeds); applied to bites, cuts and wounds (leaves and bulbs).

Wang CY, Shi J, Gui SY, Wang SJ. Study on the effect of extract of Chinese chive seed in warming kidney and enhancing yang. Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 2005 Jul;30(13):1017-8.