A perennial temperate herb. Bulb of 2 scales, 1-2 cm in diam; pea-sized white coloured. Stem 15-60 cm. Leaves 7-11, opposite or sometimes also 3- or 4-whorled and alternate; leaf blade linear to linear-lanceolate, 4-12 cm × 3-5(-15) mm, apex often curved or cirrose. Inflorescence 1(-3)-flowered; bracts 3, apex curved or cirrose. Flower nodding, campanulate or narrowly so; pedicel much shorter than tepals. Tepals yellow or yellowish green, slightly or heavily spotted or tessellated with purple, usually oblong-elliptic, 3-5 × 1.2-1.8 cm; nectaries elliptic to ovate, 3-5 × 2-3 mm, projecting abaxially. Stamens 2-3 cm; filaments sometimes slightly papillose. Style 3-lobed; lobes 3-5 mm. Capsule narrowly winged; wings 1-1.5 mm wide.

Antitussive, astringent, demulcent, expectorant, febrifuge and pectoral (bulb)

Flora of China
Plants For A Future

The bulbs lower blood pressure, diminishes excitability of respiratory centres, paralyses voluntary movement and counters the effects of opium. The dried bulb is used internally in the treatment of coughs, bronchitis, pneumonia, asthma, feverish illnesses, scrofula, sores, and abscesses. The bulbs are used in folk medicine against cancer of the breast and lungs.

Should only be used under the supervision of a qualified practitioner, excessive doses can cause breathing difficulties and heart failure.

Jing-Nuan Wu. An Illustrated Chinese Materia Medica. P: 320, Oxford University Press, Inc.2005.