鸡爪草 ji zhua cao

Calathodes palmata J. D. Hooker & Thomson var. appendiculata Brühl.

Stems 20--45 cm tall, simple or branched. Basal and proximal cauline leaves 3; petiole 6--10 cm; leaf blade 2--3 × 3.2--5 cm; central segment broadly rhombic, 3-fid, lobulate, margin serrate; lateral segments obliquely flabellate, unequally 2-parted nearly to base. Flowers ca. 1.8 cm in diam. Sepals white, obovate or elliptic, 9--10 × 4--6 mm, glabrous. Stamens 3.5--7.5 mm. Follicles 7--12(--15), 7--14 × ca. 4.5 mm; persistent style erect, 1--1.7 mm; projection inserted at middle of abaxial suture. Fl. May--Jul, fr. Jul--Aug.

* Mountain forests, grassy slopes; 2400--3200 m. W Hubei, Sichuan, W Yunnan.

The entire plant is used medicinally for treating rheumatism and improving circulation.