Chuan Bei Mu
Fritillaria cirrhosa
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Pl. 0942 — Fritillaria cirrhosa
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IOverview
Overview
Chuan Bei Mu, scientifically known as Fritillaria cirrhosa, is a bulbous plant native to the mountainous regions of China and neighboring countries such as Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, and Tibet. This plant thrives in partial sun or shade with moist soil that is light (sandy) or medium in texture. It grows up to 0.5 meters tall and is hardy in zones 4-8. Chuan Bei Mu is widely recognized for its edible root, which is used in traditional Chinese medicine for its purported health benefits. Its distinctive feature includes a bulb that can store nutrients over winter, making it an important crop in the region.
Quick answers
What is Chuan Bei Mu?
Chuan Bei Mu, scientifically known as Fritillaria cirrhosa, is a bulbous plant native to the mountainous regions of China and neighboring countries such as Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, and Tibet. This plant thrives in partial sun or shade with moist soil that is light (sandy) or medium in texture.
What is Chuan Bei Mu used for?
Traditionally used for immune support, digestion. Each claim is evidence-rated — see Section II for full citations.
Best for
Top 2 evidence-ranked uses of Chuan Bei Mu
Clinicaluses · safety · chemistry · dosagemedicinal profile
IIBenefits & evidence
2 claims · 0 sources
Benefits & evidence
2 claims · 0 sources- Traditional-use note: Chuan Bei Mu appears in herbal sources around seasonal wellness traditions, often as a decoction. PlantSage presents this as ethnobotanical context, not as medical advice.
Traditional context only. This reviewed claim keeps the original moderate confidence level, but avoids treatment, disease, dosage, or guaranteed-effect language.
- Chuan Bei Mu is traditionally used in Chinese medicine to aid digestion and relieve symptoms of gastrointestinal discomfort, often prepared as a decoction or powder.
The mechanism by which Chuan Bei Mu aids digestion is not fully characterised but may involve compounds that have anti-inflammatory effects on the digestive tract.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
Chuan Bei Mu thrives in full to partial sun and prefers moist, well-drained soil that is light (sandy) or medium. It is hardy in zones 4-8 and grows to a height of about 0.5 meters. For cultivation, ensure the soil remains consistently moist but not waterlogged. Propagation can be done through root division. Given its native habitat, Chuan Bei Mu is well-suited for temperate regions with similar conditions.
Light
Full sun, Partial sun/shade
Water
Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium
Hardiness
4-8
Mature size
0.5 m tall
For first-time growers
How to grow Chuan Bei Mu for the first time
8steps
Start with planting Chuan Bei Mu in a well-prepared soil to ensure success.
- 1
What you'll need
Chuan Bei Mu bulbs, potting mix suitable for bulbs, and a container or garden bed.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant in late fall or early spring when the soil is cool but not frozen.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Use well-draining soil with a mix of light (sandy) and medium textures. Ensure containers have drainage holes.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Plant bulbs 5-7 cm deep, spacing them about 10 cm apart in the container or garden bed.
- 5
First two weeks
Water sparingly to avoid rot. Keep soil moist but not waterlogged.
- 6
Ongoing care
Provide partial sun and keep soil consistently moist, especially during dry periods.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
After the plant dies back naturally in late spring or early summer, gently dig up the bulbs to harvest.
- 8
Common mistakes
Overwatering, planting too deep, and not providing enough drainage are common issues.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:Root
Edible uses: The root of Chuan Bei Mu is edible and is typically prepared by drying before use in various culinary applications such as soups and stews. It can also be ground into a powder for seasoning or incorporated into traditional dishes to add flavor and texture.
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
9 native · 0 introduced
Distribution
9 native · 0 introducedDistribution across1 continent· 9 native
Asia4 regions
native (4)ChinaMyanmarNepalPakistan
Broader regions
native:East Himalaya, West Himalaya
IXSpecimen gallery
1 image
Specimen gallery
1 imageXSee also
8 related
See also
8 relatedPlants you might compare or use together — scored by shared family, common use cases, and growing requirements.
shared use cases
Different families, similar therapeutic role — good for comparing.
XI
Explore further
Companion planting
Health goals
Compare with similar plants
Growing zone
XII
About this entry
- Last updated
- Citation
- How to cite this entry · Submit a correction
Back to the cataloguePlant id · 09422374-f1e0-4a70-b519-c61de6c81c83
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