Oriental Blechnum

Oriental Blechnum (Blechnum orientale, 乌毛蕨).

Another Yuelu mountain fern, which is widely distributed over subtropical and tropical Asia, showing a little Autumn colour.

Redflower Ragleaf

Redflower Ragleaf (Crassocephalum crepidioides, 野茼蒿).

An annual herb, it grounds on the hills in Hunan (this one was near a forest path on Yuelu Mountain) and throughout much of the world. Its leaves and stems are edible and said to have a pine-like taste, and like many plants in Asteraceae it has a long history in medicine, and has been used to treat indigestion and to assist the healing of wounds in many cultures from Africa to South-East Asia.

Lindley's Butterflybush

Lindley's Butterflybush (Buddleja lindleyana, 醉鱼草).

A common deciduous shrub in the rocky regions of southern China. Some sources claim it flowers from June to July but on Yuelu Mountain, and in parts nearby, its white and purple flowers can also be found throughout August as well.

Common Vervain

Common Vervain (Verbena officinalis, 马鞭草).

Here seen growing along the Xiang River. A component in folk medicine around the world. In traditional Chinese medicine, it is used to treat malaria, joint pain, bruises and other ailments. In medieval and early modern Europe it was associated with magic and fortune-telling.