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**Fructus Meliae (Lian Shi)**, also known as Jinlingzi, grows in the valleys of Mount Jing. It is now found everywhere, with those from Shu being the best. The tree grows over one zhang (approx. 3.3 meters) high; its leaves are dense like those of the locust tree but longer. It flowers in the third and fourth lunar months, bearing red-purple flowers with a fragrance filling the courtyard. The fruit resembles a bullet, green when raw and yellow when ripe; the fruits are harvested in the twelfth month, while the roots can be harvested at any time. This species has male and female varieties: the male has red roots, produces no seeds, and is highly toxic; the female has white roots, produces seeds, and is slightly toxic. The female variety should be used. In common parlance, it is called Kulianzi.

Wei Zhou's *Duxing Fang* records its use for treating ascariasis (roundworm infection) where the pain feels like needles piercing the heart, accompanied by spitting clear saliva. Take the root, chop it, boil in water until thick and dark red-black. Mix the decoction with rice to cook into a porridge. Fast overnight. On the following morning, start by eating one bi (an ancient measuring spoon, referring to a small amount). After a short while, eat another half-bi of porridge. This will expel the roundworms, and it is effective.

**Salix Catkin (Liu Hua)**, leaves, and fruits grow in the marshes of Langya. They are now found everywhere, commonly referred to as Yangliu (willow-poplar). The *Shennong Bencao Jing* identifies the catkins as the flower. Chen Cangqi stated that the "flower" refers to the initial yellow stamens, while the "seed" refers to the flying catkins. They can be harvested at any time. Its branches, bark, and roots are also used in medicine. Ge Hong frequently used them to treat carbuncles, ulcers, swelling, toxins, and mastitis. Wei Zhou's *Duxing Fang* records their use for treating ding sores (furuncles) and reverse-flow ulcers, prepared by boiling willow branches and leaves into a plaster for topical application. Currently, people use them in bathing lotions, plasters, and dental preparations; the branches are considered essential medicinal materials.

Regarding the distinction between Yang and Liu: modern usage conflates them as "Yangliu," which is incorrect. The *Shuowen Jiezi* states: "Yang is Puliuh (poplar-willow); Liu is a small Yang." There are several varieties:
1. **Puliuh**: Has strong, tough branches suitable for making arrow shafts. The "Pu of Dongze" mentioned in the *Zuo Zhuan*, also called Chengfu, refers to the Shuiyang (water willow) mentioned in the previous entry, which grows abundantly in the sandy soils of Hebei.
2. **Qiliu**: Grows near water with coarse, white leaves; the wood grain is slightly reddish. The *Book of Songs* (Zheng Feng) says: "Do not cut down my Qiliu trees." Lu Ji noted that Qiliu wood was used for making chariot hubs. Pure Qiliu grew around Mount Gong, the Qi River, and the Wen River in the State of Lu. Mencius quotes Gaozi: "To regard human nature as benevolence and righteousness is like regarding Qiliu [wood] as cups and plates [by bending it]." People currently take its thin twigs, heat them to make them flexible, and bend them into boxes and chests, especially in the Heshuo region.
3. **Chengshumu (Red Tamarisk)**: Grows in the sandy lands west of the Yellow River. It has red bark and fine leaves; this is what is now called Chengliu or Chunliu. The *Erya* states: "Cheng is Heliu (river willow)." Guo Pu commented: "It is the small poplar with red stems by the river today." Lu Ji's commentary on the *Classic of Poetry* describes it as having bark bright red like crimson, also named Yushi (Rain Master), with branches and leaves resembling pine. The resin within its wood is called Chengru. It is rarely used in medical prescriptions, so it is appended here.