First, the botanical characteristics of Zhuge Liang
1, name and classification status
Zhuge Cai is the official middle name, which is derived from the name of seed plants according to written records. According to legend, this name is related to Zhuge Liang. Other aliases include February Orchid, Purple Cabbage, Cauliflower, Southern Mustard, Cyperus pubescens, Cyperus purpurea, Cyperus hupehensis and so on. In plant taxonomy, it belongs to the annual or biennial herb of Orychophragmus genus in Cruciferae.
2. Distribution and growth environment
Orychophragmus violaceus is mainly distributed in Liaoning, Hebei, Shanxi, Shaanxi, Gansu, Shandong, Henan, Anhui, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Hubei, Jiangxi, Sichuan and other provinces and regions in China. It usually grows in plains, mountains, roadsides, fields and under miscellaneous forests.
3. Appearance characteristics
It is an annual or biennial herb with a height of 10-50 cm, and the plant is hairless; Stem erect, solitary, slightly branched at the base or upper part, light green or purplish; The shape of leaves varies greatly,
The basal leaves and the lower leaves are violin-shaped pinnate compound leaves, the top lobes are extremely large, round or oval, 4-8 cm long, the apex is sharp, the base is heart-shaped, the edge has wavy serrations, the side lobes are small, 1-3 pairs, and the edge is entire or toothed; The upper leaves of the stem are sessile, oblong or narrowly ovate, with stems at the base and irregular teeth at the edge;
Inflorescence has 5-20 flowers, flower diameter is about 2 cm, sepals are lavender, strip-lanceolate, petals are purple, light red or faded to white, stamens are separated, anthers are linear yellow, 6-8 mm long, and bloom in March-April;
Silique is linear, cylindrical, 7- 12 cm long, with a drill-like beak at the top, stout fruit stalks, seeds 1 row, oval or oblong, slightly flat, dark brown, wingless, bearing fruit from April to June.
Second, the main uses of Zhuge Liang.
1. Edible: First, fry the tender stems and leaves of Orychophragmus violaceus with boiling water, then soak them in cold water until they have no bitterness, so that they can be eaten, fried, cooled and made into soup. Zhuge Cai is fragrant and delicious, rich in nutrition and unique in flavor; According to the determination, Orychophragmus violaceus mainly contains vitamins, carotene, protein, calcium, iron, ascorbic acid, fat, sugar and other trace elements and nutrients. It has high nutritional value and is a common wild vegetable.
Second, ornamental: Zhuge Liang has many flowers, purple corollas and emerald green leaves. In early spring, flowers are bright and beautiful in March and April, with strong self-reproduction ability and easy to plant. It is a garden herb flower with high ornamental value.
3. Feeding: Zhuge Blossoms, China Blossoms, China Blossoms, China Blossoms, China Blossoms, China Blossoms, China Blossoms, China Blossoms, China Blossoms, China Blossoms, China Blossoms, China Blossoms, China Blossoms, China Blossoms, China Blossoms.
In addition, the seeds of Orychophragmus violaceus can be eaten by squeezing oil and can also be used as the source of oil crop breeding.