The efficacy and function of the earthworm

The earthworm is a common plant that grows rampant on the ground, so it is called this name by people. Because of its peculiar appearance, it has rich medicinal value. It can not only be used as an ornamental plant, but also has ecological functions in normal times. It is very popular. However, everyone needs to pay attention that herbs like this cannot be used casually.

1. Botanical characteristics

Rhizome: The rhizome of the earthworm runs horizontally on the surface (about 15 cm), is woody and multi-branched, with many buds (dormant buds) on the stem, the outer skin is yellow-brown and easily peels off in sheets. The stem is left-handed, slender and can grow up to several meters long, and often entwine around other companion plants. Leaves: Simple leaves are alternate, palmately heart-shaped, and often have 3 to 7 shallow (or medium-deep) fissures on the edges. The plant is dioecious. The underground stems of the male plant are of good quality and high yield, but it does not produce seeds. The flowers are usually clustered in 2 to 4 flowers. The flowers of the female plant are spike-shaped inflorescences, borne in the mid-axils, and can only bear fruit after fertilization. The capsule has three wings and turns yellow-brown when mature. The flowering period is from June to August, and the fruiting period is from August to October.

2. Biological Characteristics

The ground dragon often grows wild on plateaus, that is, in bushes or grass on hills, slopes and forest edges. It has strong adaptability, is resistant to severe cold (underground rhizomes store nutrients and buds go dormant) and drought (mature plants grow normally in loose soil), but is not resistant to moisture. It is not very demanding on soil, but grows best in loose, fertile and well-drained sandy soil. The suitable growth temperature is 15~25℃. The temperature required in the early growth stage is slightly lower, at 8~20℃; the flowering period requires a higher temperature, at 20~25℃ (the temperature can be increased to increase the seed collection); a lower temperature is required during dormancy. The germination rate of seeds is generally around 50%. The suitable temperature for germination is 20~25℃. When the temperature is sufficient, seedlings will emerge in 20~30 days. However, if the temperature is below 10℃ or above 30℃, it is difficult for the seeds to germinate.

3. Cultivation Technology

1. Site selection and land preparation

Loose, fertile, well-drained sandy loam or black soil should be selected, and it is better to plant on gentle slopes or terraces. When preparing the land, apply 3000~4000 kg of organic fertilizer (preferably barn fertilizer) per mu as base fertilizer, rotary tillage, tillage depth of 20~25 cm, harrow and level the land to make beds. The bed should be 1.2m~1.5m wide and 15cm high. Leave a 20~25cm aisle between beds (the aisle can be shallower if the ground is permeable and deeper if the ground is impermeable).

2. Breeding method

There are two methods of reproduction: one is seed reproduction (which takes 5 years to harvest), and the other is rhizome reproduction (which can be harvested in 3 years), with rhizome reproduction being the main method.

2.1 Seed propagation: Collect wild mature seeds in autumn, mix them evenly with fine river sand in a ratio of 1:1, place them in a place below 10℃ for 20 days, and start sowing in the seedbed in mid-to-late April. Before sowing, sift the seeds with a sieve and soak them in gibberellin solution for 24 hours, then sow them in rows.