| Pinellia ternata | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Monocots |
| Order: | Alismatales |
| Family: | Araceae |
| Subfamily: | Aroideae |
| Tribe: | Arisaemateae |
| Genus: | Pinellia |
| Species: | P. ternata |
| Binomial name | |
| Pinellia ternata (Thunb.) Makino |
|
Pinellia ternata (Chinese:半夏, Japanese:カラスビシャク), crow-dipper, is a plant native to China, but also grows as an invasive weed in parts of North America. The leaves are trifoliate, while the flowers are of the spathe and spadix form typical of plants in Araceae.
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The plant spreads by rhizomes, and there are also small bulblets (a.k.a. bulbils) at the base of each leaf. Flowers are bourne in spring.[1]
This plant is toxic in raw form and must be processed. Pinellia ternata is known as the herb effective in removing dampness-phlegm, one of the causes of obesity in traditional Chinese medicine. Pinellia extract may be able to affect anti-obesity through thermogenesis and fatty acid oxidation.[1]