Krascheninikovia heterophylla Miquel, Ann. Mus. Bot. Lugduno-Batavi 3: 187. 1867; K. rhaphanorrhiza (Hemsley) Korshinsky; Pseudostellaria rhaphanorrhiza (Hemsley) Pax; Stellaria heterophylla (Miquel) Hemsley; S. rhaphanorrhiza Hemsley.

Root tubers white, slightly grayish yellow, long fusiform. Stem solitary, erect, (8--)15--20 cm tall, with 2 lines of hairs. Proximal leaves usually 1 or 2 pairs, spatulate or oblanceolate, base attenuate into a petiole, apex obtuse; middle leaves lanceolate, 3--4 cm × 5--8 mm; distal leaves 2 or 3 pairs, decussate, approximate, broadly ovate, 3--6 × 1--2 cm, abaxially pilose at veins, adaxially glabrous, base attenuate, apex acuminate. Chasmogamic flowers axillary, solitary or in cymes; pedicel 1--2(--4) cm, pubescent; sepals 5, lanceolate, ca. 5 mm, abaxially pilose and ciliate; petals 5, oblong or obovate, 7--8 mm, margin entire, slightly toothed, or emarginate; stamens 10, shorter than petals; ovary ovoid; styles 3, slightly longer than stamens, stigmas capitate. Cleistogamic flowers axillary, pedicels short; sepals 4, pilose; petals absent; stamens 2; styles 3. Capsule ovoid, unsplit or 3-valved. Seeds brown, oblong-reniform or compressed orbicular, ca. 1.5 mm, tuberculate. Fl. Apr--Jul, fr. Jul--Aug.

This species is used medicinally.

Mountain valleys, moist shaded forests; 800--2700 m. Anhui, Hebei, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Liaoning, Nei Mongol, Qinghai, Shaanxi, Shandong, Sichuan, Zhejiang [Japan, Korea].