- Mesona chinensis
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Mesona chinensis Scientific classification Kingdom: Plantae (unranked): Angiosperms (unranked): Eudicots (unranked): Asterids Order: Lamiales Family: Lamiaceae Genus: Mesona Species: M. chinensis
Benth.[1]Mesona chinensis is a species of plants belonging to the genus Mesona of the mint family. The species grows extensively in East Asia such as south east China and Taiwan preferring ravines, grassy, dry, and sandy areas.[2] The plants are from 15–100 cm high with hairy stems and leaves. The leaves are tear-drop shaped and serrated.[2]
The plants are referred to as xiancao (仙草, 仙人草, 仙草舅, 涼粉草) in Mandarin Chinese, sian-chháu in Taiwanese, and leung fan cao (涼粉草) in Cantonese, sương sáo in Vietnamese, หญ้าเฉาก๊วย in Thai and primarily cultivated and used in making grass jelly.[1]
Cut grass jelly
Cultivation and processing
M. chinensis are cultivated on flat ground or areas with a slight slope. In Taiwan, this plant is often grown under fruit trees in fruits orchards as a secondary crop.[1] The plant is processed by harvesting all the aerial portions above the root. The portions are then partially dried and piled up in order to allows them to oxidize until they have darkened. After the oxidation, they are then thoroughly dried for sale.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d "仙草". 台北市內雙溪森林藥用植物園編輯組. http://www.herb.nat.gov.tw/b2b_cpinfo06.asp?id=892. "本品加水與少許鹹共同煎汁，添加少許澱粉漿可製成仙草凍，是夏天常吃的清涼飲品"
- ^ a b "Mesona chinensis in Flora of China". http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=200019823.
Categories:- Lamiaceae
- Flora of East Asia
- Flora of Vietnam
- Chinese ingredients
- Vietnamese ingredients
- Lamiaceae stubs
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