\r射(音夜)干\ph244.bmp\r,生南阳山谷田野,今在处有之。人家庭院间亦多种植,
春生苗,高二、三尺;
叶似蛮姜,而狭长横张,疏如翅羽状,故一名乌 ,谓其叶耳;叶中抽茎,似萱草而强硬
;
六月开花,黄红色,瓣上有细文纹秋结实作房,中子黑色;根多须,皮黄黑,肉黄赤。三月
三日采根,阴干。陶隐居云∶疗毒肿方多作夜干。今射亦作夜音。又云别有射干,相似而花
白茎长,似射人之执竿者。故阮公诗云∶射干临层城是也。此不入药用。苏恭∶射干此说是
鸢尾,叶都似射干,而花紫碧色,不抽高茎,根似高良姜,而肉白,根即鸢头也。又按荀子
云∶西方有木焉,名曰射干,茎长四寸,生于高山之上,而临百仞之渊,其茎非能长也,所
立者然也。杨 注云∶当是草,而云木误也。今观射干之形,其茎梗疏长,正如长竿状,
得
名由此耳。而陶以夜音为疑,且古字音呼固多相通,若汉官仆射主,射而亦音夜,非有别义
也。又射干多生山崖之间,其茎虽细小,亦类木梗。故荀子名木,而苏谓陶说为鸢尾。鸢尾
花亦不白,其白者自是射干之类,非鸢尾也。鸢尾布地而生,叶扁阔于射干。苏云∶花紫碧
色,根如高良姜者是也。《本经》云∶生九嶷山谷,今在处有,大类蛮姜也。三月采。一云
∶九月、十月采根,日干。
**Shegan** (Pinyin: Shègān; English: Belamcanda Rhizome, *Belamcanda chinensis*), grows in the valleys and fields of Nanyang, and is now found everywhere. It is also widely planted in people's courtyards. In spring, it produces seedlings two or three chi high; the leaves resemble those of *Zingiber zerumbet* (Manjiang) but are narrower, longer, and spread horizontally, sparse like wing feathers, hence another name "Wuyuan" (Crow/Ibis), referring to its leaves; a flowering stem emerges from among the leaves, resembling *Hemerocallis citrina* (Daylily) but stiffer; it flowers in June with yellow-red petals featuring fine striations; in autumn, it bears capsule-like fruits containing black seeds; the root system has many fibrous roots, with yellow-black skin and yellowish-red flesh. The roots are harvested on the third day of the third lunar month and dried in the shade. Tao Hongjing stated that formulas for treating toxic swellings often write the name as "Yegan" (Night Dry). Currently, "She" is also pronounced "Ye". He further stated there is another type of Shegan, similar in appearance but with white flowers and long stems, resembling an archer holding a pole. Thus, Ruan Ji's poem says, "Shegan overlooks the layered city," referring to this. This variety is not used in medicine. Su Gong stated that this description refers to *Iris tectorum* (Oryzopsis/Iris), whose leaves are identical to Shegan, but the flowers are purple-blue, it does not produce tall stems, and the root resembles *Alpinia officinarum* (Gao Liang Jiang) but with white flesh; the root is the Iris head. Furthermore, consulting *Xunzi*, it states: "In the west there is a tree named Shegan, its stem four cun long, growing atop high mountains overlooking abysses hundreds of ren deep. Its stem is not inherently long, but rather its position makes it so." Yang Xiong's commentary notes: "It should be a herb, calling it a tree is an error." Observing the current form of Shegan, its stem is slender and long, exactly like a long pole, which explains its name. Tao Hongjing's doubt regarding the pronunciation "Ye" is unnecessary, as ancient pronunciations were often interchangeable; for instance, in the Han dynasty official title "Pushé" (Vice Minister), "She" is also pronounced "Ye" without distinct semantic difference. Additionally, Shegan often grows between mountain cliffs; although its stem is slender, it resembles a woody stalk. Hence *Xunzi* calls it a tree. Su Song argues that Tao's description actually refers to *Iris*. *Iris* flowers are not white; the white-flowered ones belong to the Shegan category, not Iris. *Iris* grows flat on the ground, with broader, flatter leaves than Shegan. Su Song noted that the one with purple-blue flowers and roots resembling *Alpinia* is indeed *Iris*. The *Shennong Bencao Jing* states it grows in the valleys of Jiyi Mountain and is now found everywhere, resembling *Zingiber zerumbet*. It is harvested in March. Another account states: harvest the roots in September or October and dry them in the sun.