Anemarrhena asphodeloides aka Common Anemarrhena

Anemarrhena asphodeloides, or Zhi Mu, is an evergreen perennial. Kew places it in the asparagus family, Asparagaceae. Its native range runs from Mongolia into China. Plants For A Future also lists it in Korea. It grows in temperate regions across a range of habitats. These include mountain woods, scrub, grass slopes, and open steppes. It also occurs on sunny, sandy hillsides. Its habitats reach from near sea level to 4,921 feet [1,500 metres].

In gardens, plants reach about 1.6 feet [0.5 metres] tall. They can spread to about 3.3 feet [1 metre]. Flowers appear from August to September, according to Plants For A Future. They have a scent and open in the evening. Each flower holds both male and female organs. The plant has a rhizome, which features in its medicinal uses. The supplied sources give no further detail on leaf or fruit form.

Grow it in partial shade or beneath light tree cover. It needs moist soil with plenty of organic matter. Sandy soil, loam, and clay can all suit it. The soil should be mildly acid to neutral. Plants tolerate strong winds, but not exposure to sea winds. Woodland gardens and moist, shaded sites offer suitable settings. Plants For A Future reports cold tolerance to at least 23°F [−5°C]. It warns that the plant is not hardy throughout Britain.

Fresh seed is best sown in a cold frame. Sow stored seed in late winter or early spring. Remove all fruit tissue and cover the seed with little soil. Germination may take one to three months at 59°F [15°C]. Some seed may take a year to sprout. Plants For A Future records no weed potential. The supplied evidence names no pests or diseases.

China sometimes grows this species as a medicinal herb. Its rhizome has reported medicinal uses, including for fever and urinary complaints. These uses do not establish it as safe for self-treatment. Excess intake can cause a sudden fall in blood pressure. People with diarrhoea should not take it. Plants For A Future records no known food uses. The root contains about six percent saponins, which can provide soap. This offers a separate use from its role in woodland planting.