Inner Mongolia Cistanche deserticola

We all know that Inner Mongolia is a remote area in China, and its climate and culture are very different from those in our inland areas. But it is precisely because of this difference that Inner Mongolia grows different delicacies. In addition to the famous beef and mutton, there are also many precious medicinal herbs. Cistanche is a traditional Chinese medicine. Although it can be grown in other provinces, only the Cistanche from Inner Mongolia is the best. Of course, this has a lot to do with the geographical environment. So how do you choose the Cistanche from Inner Mongolia?

They are all produced in the heart of the three major deserts in Alxa League in western Inner Mongolia. Due to the unique geographical environment and climatic conditions, the Cistanche produced here is large, thick, rich in gelatin and tannin, and of high quality. It is famous both at home and abroad as the best Cistanche. Alxa League in Inner Mongolia is the largest production area of ​​Cistanche deserticola and has the reputation of being the "Hometown of Cistanche in the World".

Cistanche deserticola, also known as Xinjiang Yun, Cun Yun, Cistanche, and Chagan Gaoya (Mongolian), is an endangered species. Tall herbs, 40-160 cm tall, mostly underground. The flowering period is from May to June, and the fruiting period is from June to August. It is mainly produced in Xinjiang and Alxa League of Inner Mongolia, and is also distributed in Gansu and Ningxia.

Cistanche deserticola is a parasitic plant that lives on the roots of the desert tree Haloxylon ammodendron, absorbing nutrients and water from its host. It is known as the "desert ginseng" and has extremely high medicinal value. It is a traditional precious Chinese medicinal material. In history, Cistanche deserticola has been regarded as a precious tribute to the imperial court by the Western Regions. It is also one of the most frequently used tonic medicines in kidney-tonifying and yang-strengthening prescriptions throughout the ages.

Every April, Cistanche and Cynomorium songaricum enter their peak growth period, which is also the peak period for illegal digging and mining by lawbreakers. Driven by economic interests, some lawbreakers even do not hesitate to obstruct law enforcement and come into direct conflict with law enforcement officers. Morphological characteristics Cistanche deserticola (2) is a tall herb, 40-160 cm tall, mostly underground.

The stem is unbranched or has 2-4 branches from the base, with a diameter of 5-10 (-15) cm at the lower part, gradually becoming thinner upwards to 2-5 cm in diameter.

The leaves are broadly ovate or triangular-ovate, 0.5-1.5 cm long and 1-2 cm wide, densely grown at the bottom of the stem and sparsely and narrowly grown at the top, lanceolate or narrowly lanceolate, 2-4 cm long and 0.5-1 cm wide, glabrous on both sides. Inflorescence spike-shaped, 15-50 cm long, 4-7 cm in diameter; bracts in the lower half or all of the inflorescence are longer, equal to or slightly longer than the corolla, ovate-lanceolate, lanceolate or linear-lanceolate, together with the bracteoles and corolla lobes, sparsely pubescent or nearly glabrous on the outside and edges; bracteoles 2, ovate-lanceolate or lanceolate, equal to or slightly longer than the calyx.

The calyx is bell-shaped, 1-1.5 cm long, with 5 shallow lobes at the top, and the lobes are nearly round, 2.5-4 mm long and 3-5 mm wide. The corolla is tubular and bell-shaped, 3-4 cm long, with 5 lobes at the apex. The lobes are nearly semicircular, 4-6 mm long, 0.6-1 cm wide, and the edges are often slightly rolled outward. The color varies, from light yellowish white or lavender, and often turns brown after drying. There are 4 stamens, and the filaments are inserted 5-6 mm from the base of the tube, 1.5-2.5 cm long, with wrinkled and long soft hairs at the base. The anthers are long ovate, 3.5-4.5 mm long, densely covered with long soft hairs, and have a cusp at the base.

The ovary is oval, about 1 cm long, with nectar glands at the base. The style is slightly longer than the stamens, glabrous, and the stigma is nearly spherical. The capsule is ovoid, 1.5-2.7 cm long and 1.3-1.4 cm in diameter, with a persistent style at the top and 2-petal dehiscence. The seeds are elliptical or nearly ovate, about 0.6-1 mm long, reticulate and shiny on the outside. The flowering period is from May to June, and the fruiting period is from June to August.