Anemarrhena is a monotypic plant genus belonging to the family Asparagaceae (subfamily Agavoideae), comprising a single species, Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bunge. Some taxonomic authorities have recognised it in its own family, Anemarrhenaceae, reflecting its morphological distinctiveness within the broader asparagus order. The genus is native to China and Mongolia, where it grows across the western half of China, ranging from Yunnan province in the southwest to Northeast China (Manchuria). It has been introduced to Taiwan and Korea.
Anemarrhena asphodeloides is a perennial herbaceous plant with grass-like leaves and slender flowering scapes bearing small, pale lilac flowers. Its rhizome, known in Chinese as zhīmǔ (知母), has a long history of use in traditional Chinese medicine. The genus name is sometimes placed alongside the lily-like monocots, and older classifications assigned it to family Liliaceae.
Distribution
Anemarrhena is native to China and Mongolia, with its range spanning the western half of China from Yunnan in the south to Northeast China. It has been introduced to Taiwan and Korea.
Cultural Uses
The rhizome of Anemarrhena asphodeloides is known in Chinese as zhīmǔ (知母) and is a traditional ingredient in Chinese herbal medicine.
Taxonomy Notes
Although placed in family Asparagaceae (subfamily Agavoideae) in current mainstream classifications, some authors have treated Anemarrhena in its own family, Anemarrhenaceae, owing to its distinctive morphology. Older systems placed it in Liliaceae. GBIF currently records it under Liliaceae/Liliiflorae, reflecting the legacy classification in that database.
