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Useful Temperate Plants

Hedysarum polybotrys

Hand.-Mazz.

Fabaceae

+ Synonyms

Hedysarum semenovii alaschanicum B.Fedtsch.

Common Name: Hong Qi

No Image.

General Information

Hedysarum polybotrys is a herbaceous perennial plant producing a clump of erect stems 7 - 12cm tall[
266
Title
Flora of China
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
Publisher
Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis.
Year
1994
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available.
].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine. It is often used, especially in Taiwan, as a substitute for the widely used herb Huang Qi (Astragalus mongholicus).
Hedysarum polybotrys has a wide distribution, is present in protected areas and an apparently stable population. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[
338
Title
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.iucnredlist.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

266
Title
Flora of China
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
Publisher
Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis.
Year
1994
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available.

Range

E. Asia - northern China (Gansu, Hebei, Nei Mongol, Ningxia, Shanxi, Sichuan)

Habitat

Gravelly and stony slopes and in forest margins; at elevations from 1,200 - 3,200 metres[
266
Title
Flora of China
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
Publisher
Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis.
Year
1994
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available.
].

Properties

Conservation StatusLeast Concern
Medicinal Rating *  *  *
HabitPerennial
Height0.10 m
PollinatorsBees, Insects
Cultivation StatusWild

Cultivation Details


Hedysarum species generally grow best in a sunny position, though many can tolerate some shade. They are often found in somewhat alkaline soils in the wild, but are usually easy to grow in ordinary garden soils, preferring a deep well-drained sandy loam[
1
Title
RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956
Publication
 
Author
F. Chittendon.
Publisher
Oxford University Press
Year
1951
ISBN
-
Description
Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaced in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).
,
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
].
Species in this genus generally strongly resent root disturbance and should be placed in their permanent positions as soon as possible[
1
Title
RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956
Publication
 
Author
F. Chittendon.
Publisher
Oxford University Press
Year
1951
ISBN
-
Description
Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaced in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).
].
This species is closely related to Hedysarum boreale[
212
Title
A Field Guide to Rocky Mountain Wildflowers
Publication
 
Author
Craighead. J., Craighead. F. and Davis. R.
Publisher
The Riverside Press
Year
1963
ISBN
63-7093
Description
Excellent little pocket guide to the area, covering 590 species and often giving details of their uses.
].
This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria; these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[
1309
Title
The Leguminosae; A Source Book of Characteristics, Uses and Nodulation
Publication
 
Author
Allen O.N.; Allen E.K.
Publisher
University of Wisconsin
Year
1981
ISBN
0-333-32221-5
Description
An amazing and comprehensive work, giving a brief guide to the many genera of the family Fabaceae and also the principle uses of the genus.
].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

This species has a long histroy of medicinal use in China, where it is employed mainly to increase the energy of the body. It is used in the treatment of infestation with gastrointestinal nematodes, and may also support the immune system and peripheral nervous system[
1491
Title
Phytochemicals and biological studies of plants in genus Hedysarum
Publication
Chemistry Central Journal 2013, 7:124
Author
Yinmao Dong, Dongyan Tang, Na Zhang, Yue Li, Chunhong Zhang,
Website
http://journal.chemistrycentral.com/content/7/1/124
Publisher
 
Year
2013
ISBN
 
Description
 
].
The root is anhidrotic[
218
Title
Medicinal Plants of China
Publication
 
Author
Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S.
Publisher
Reference Publications, Inc.
Year
1985
ISBN
0-917256-20-4
Description
Details of over 1,200 medicinal plants of China and brief details of their uses. Often includes an analysis, or at least a list of constituents. Heavy going if you are not into the subject.
], antioxidant. It is used in the treatment of asthma, boils, cachexia, diarrhoea, oedema, nervousness, numbness, night sweats and poor circulation[
218
Title
Medicinal Plants of China
Publication
 
Author
Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S.
Publisher
Reference Publications, Inc.
Year
1985
ISBN
0-917256-20-4
Description
Details of over 1,200 medicinal plants of China and brief details of their uses. Often includes an analysis, or at least a list of constituents. Heavy going if you are not into the subject.
].
The root is often used, especially in Taiwan, as a substitute for the widely prescribed herb huang qi (Astragalus mongholicus)[
1492
Title
Immunomodulatory Effects of Hedysarum polybotrys Extract in Mice Macrophages, Splenocytes and Leucopenia
Publication
Molecules 2013, 18, 14862-14875
Author
Guan-Cheng Huang et al
Website
http://doi.org/10.3390/molecules181214862
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
1420-3049
Description
 
].

Various medicinally active compounds found in this and other Hedysarum species contribute to the antioxidant, anti-tumor, anti-aging, anti-diabetic, and anti-hypertensive properties of the plants[
1491
Title
Phytochemicals and biological studies of plants in genus Hedysarum
Publication
Chemistry Central Journal 2013, 7:124
Author
Yinmao Dong, Dongyan Tang, Na Zhang, Yue Li, Chunhong Zhang,
Website
http://journal.chemistrycentral.com/content/7/1/124
Publisher
 
Year
2013
ISBN
 
Description
 
].
In terms of its anti-inflammatory properties, this species is similar to Astragalus mongholicus, although they are two distinct species. This species is also capable of regenerating immune cell populations under stress. Taken together, the biological activities of this plant suggest the potential usefulness of this traditional Qi-tonifying herb in the treatment of clinical conditions when immune-enhancing and anti-inflammatory effect is desired[
1492
Title
Immunomodulatory Effects of Hedysarum polybotrys Extract in Mice Macrophages, Splenocytes and Leucopenia
Publication
Molecules 2013, 18, 14862-14875
Author
Guan-Cheng Huang et al
Website
http://doi.org/10.3390/molecules181214862
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
1420-3049
Description
 
].
This species has shown significant protective effect against heart and brain hypoxia, and also exhibits tonification, growth promotion, analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antiviral activity[
1491
Title
Phytochemicals and biological studies of plants in genus Hedysarum
Publication
Chemistry Central Journal 2013, 7:124
Author
Yinmao Dong, Dongyan Tang, Na Zhang, Yue Li, Chunhong Zhang,
Website
http://journal.chemistrycentral.com/content/7/1/124
Publisher
 
Year
2013
ISBN
 
Description
 
].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - sow in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe or in the spring[
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
]. Stored seed benefits from scarification before sowing in order to speed up and improve germination[
1050
Title
Fire Effects Information System
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.feis-crs.org/feis/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An on-line information site with comprehensive information on over 1,100 species of plant. Mainly developed to supply information on the effects of fire on plants and animals, it also contains a wealth of other information on the plants
]. This can usually be done by pouring a small amount of nearly boiling water on the seeds (being careful not to cook them!) and then soaking them for 12 - 24 hours in warm water. By this time they should have imbibed moisture and swollen - if they have not, then carefully make a nick in the seedcoat (being careful not to damage the embryo) and soak for a further 12 hours before sowing[
K
Title
Plants for a Future
Author
Ken Fern
Description
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle and plant them out into their permanent positions in the summer.
Division in spring. Great care is needed since the plant dislikes root disturbance[
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
].
Cite as: Temperate Plants Database, Ken Fern. temperate.theferns.info. 2024-03-28. <temperate.theferns.info/plant/Hedysarum+polybotrys>

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