Common Name:

General Information

Elatostema stewardii is a herbaceous perennial plant with ascending to erect stems that are unbranched or sparsely branched; it can grow around 24 - 70cm tall. The plant usually forms bulbils along the stems[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for medicinal use.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - central to southern China

Habitat

Streamsides in ravines, forests; at elevations from 400 - 1,500 metres[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.50 m
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in full and in partial shade.
A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if seed is to be produced. However, this species also forms bulbils along the stems which can be used for propagation.

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The whole plant is used medicinally in China with a pinyin name of bai long gu[]. No more details.

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - we have no information on this species but suggest sowing the seed in a cold frame in the spring. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Division in spring should be possible.
Bulbils - these are produced along the stems and should be harvested as soon as they start to fall naturally from the stem. Best planted immediately, either in situ or in pots, though they will store for a short while.