粤语∶佛桑枝叶类桑,花丹色,名朱槿,一名福桑,又名扶桑,重台者曰爱老,多以为
蔬。
纲目木槿后有扶桑条,止载外治,故补之。
吴震方岭南杂记∶扶桑粤中处处有之,叶似桑而略小,有大红、浅红、黄三色,大者开
泛如
芍药,朝开暮落,落已复开,自三月至十月不绝。佛桑与扶桑正相似,而中心起楼,多一层
花瓣。今人以扶桑、佛桑混一,非也。纱缎黑退变黄,捣扶桑花汁涂之,复黑如新。
润容补血(粤语)。美颜润血(陈述斋琐语∶朱槿花蒸醋食之,粤中妇女多以此美姿)。
敏按∶
两粤琐语载朱槿与佛桑皮微有异,云朱槿一名日及,亦曰舜英,叶如桑,光润而浓,高止四
、五尺,而枝婆娑,自仲春花至仲冬,一丛之上,日开数百朵,朝开暮落,色深红,五出,
大如蜀葵,瓣卷起,势若飞扬,层出如楼子,有蕊一条,比瓣稍长,上缀金屑,日光所烁,
疑有火焰,粤女多种之,插枝即生。苏子瞻诗∶焰焰烧空红佛桑,谓朱槿也。然佛桑又有殷
红、水红、黄、紫各色,比朱槿差小,称小牡丹,四时有花,白者以为菜蔬,甜美可口,女
子食之尤宜。据陈述斋所云∶则佛桑与朱槿一类而二物,要其功用亦不甚远,故粤语以为即
朱槿。今并附录其功用,以补李氏所未备。
Cantonese: The branches and leaves of Fosuang (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) resemble those of the mulberry tree; its flowers are cinnabar-red, named Zhujin (Chinese Hibiscus), also known as Fusang, or Fusang. The double-flowered variety is called Ailao, and it is often used as a vegetable.
Bencao Gangmu (Compendium of Materia Medica) has a section on Fusang after Mu Jin (Hibiscus mutabilis), but only records external treatments; therefore, this entry supplements that information.
Wu Zhenfang in Lingnan Zaji (Records of Lingnan): Fusang grows everywhere in Guangdong. Its leaves resemble mulberry leaves but are slightly smaller. There are three colors: large red, light red, and yellow. The larger blooms are like peonies when fully open; they open in the morning and fall by evening, yet bloom again after falling, continuing from March to October without cessation. Fosuang is very similar to Fusang, but the center rises like a tower, with an extra layer of petals. Nowadays, people confuse Fusang and Fosuang, which is incorrect. To restore black color to gauze or satin that has faded to yellow after dyeing, crush Fusang flowers, extract the juice, and apply it; the fabric returns to its original blackness. It moistens the face and nourishes blood (according to Cantonese usage). It beautifies the complexion and nourishes blood (Chen Shuzhai's Suoyu: Steamed Chinese Hibiscus flowers eaten with vinegar; women in Guangdong often use this method to enhance their appearance).
Zhao Xuemin notes:
Notes from Liangguang (Guangdong and Guangxi) record that the bark of Zhujin and Fosuang differs slightly. It states that Zhujin is also called Rijí (Sun-arriving) or Shunying, with leaves resembling mulberry leaves, smooth, lustrous, and dense. The plant is only four or five chi tall, with graceful branches. From mid-spring to mid-winter, hundreds of flowers bloom daily on one clump, opening in the morning and falling by evening. The deep red flowers have five petals, are as large as Malva alcea (mallow), with curled petals appearing to fly upward, layered like a pagoda. There is a single stamen slightly longer than the petals, tipped with golden dust that sparkles in sunlight, resembling flames. Women in Guangdong cultivate it extensively, and it propagates easily from cuttings. Su Dongpo’s poem "Yanyan shao kong hong Fosuang" (Flames burning the sky, red Fosuang) refers to Zhujin. However, Fosuang also comes in dark red, water-red, yellow, and purple varieties, slightly smaller than Zhujin, and is called "Little Peony." It blooms in all four seasons. The white variety is used as a vegetable, sweet and delicious, especially suitable for women to eat. According to Chen Shuzhai, Fosuang and Zhujin are of the same category but distinct species; their functions are likely not far apart, hence Cantonese usage considers them identical. Here, I append their functions together to supplement what Li Shizhen omitted.