Zhu Sha Lian

Zhu Sha Lian (朱砂莲), literally "cinnabar lotus," is a regional folk-name applied in southwestern China most commonly to the tuberous root of certain Aristolochia species (notably Aristolochia tuberosa C. F. Liang & S. M. Hwang or A. cinnabarina), and in some sources to Loropetalum chinense red-leaved cultivars or particular Polygala species. The candidate Aristolochia identification is clinically significant because plants in that genus contain aristolochic acids, which are nephrotoxic and carcinogenic and are banned or strictly restricted in many jurisdictions. Without a corroborating Latin name on the source record the identification cannot be confirmed, and the safety implications make speculative assignment inappropriate. The entry follows the unidentifiable null-pattern and should be flagged for source-record verification and toxicological review.