Hong /Jing Da Ji

Euphorbia pekinensis Rupr. (Euphorbiaceae), Beijing spurge or Hong Da Ji / Jing Da Ji, is a perennial herb 30-90 cm tall arising from a stout, fleshy, often reddish taproot. Stems are erect, branched in the upper portion, and exude a copious white milky latex when broken. The alternate leaves are sessile, narrowly lanceolate to oblong, 4-8 cm long and 0.6-1.2 cm wide, with entire margins. The inflorescence is the characteristic euphorbiaceous cyathium, here arranged in a terminal compound umbel with five primary rays subtended by ovate-triangular bracts; each cyathium contains kidney-shaped yellowish glands and unisexual flowers reduced to single stamens or a pistil. The capsule is three-lobed and warty. Native to China, Korea, and Japan. The root, harvested in autumn, is markedly toxic and used in TCM to drive out water and reduce edema; processing with vinegar attenuates toxicity. Modern use is restricted owing to harshness.