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*Records of Lingnan*: Produced in Guangdong, it is a small tree by the roadside, resembling *Magnolia* (Mulan), and similar to *Crape Myrtle* (Ziwei). It is one or two chi high, with leaves as large as a finger, somewhat blue in color. When the leaves age, they display white seal-script-like patterns resembling snail trails, named "Ghost Drawing Characters" (Guihua Fu). Under the leaves are small flowers like millet grains; at night, the fragrance can be smelled from dozens of steps away, reminiscent of *Angelica* and *Orchid* (Zhilan). It is also called "Mosquito-Startling Tree" (Wenjing Shu). In summer months when mosquitoes are present, breaking branches of this tree drives them away, causing them to scatter in fright.

In Cantonese: Night Orchid Wood (Yelan) is a woody plant, about one chi high, with leaves like *Sophora* (Huai), and flowers like millet grains. At night, it emits a fragrance like orchids. Breaking it can repel mosquitoes; inserting it on the door prevents mosquitoes from entering. Also known as Mosquito-Startling Tree. If ill, taking its leaves raw or decocting them in water leads to the expulsion of phlegm over several days, resulting in recovery. The leaves bear seal-script patterns like talismans, hence also named "Divine Talisman Tree" (Shenfu Shu).

Guan Han in *Lingnan Suibi*: Night Orchid grows in the secluded valleys of Luofu Mountain. It has fragrance but no fixed form, sharing the status of divine entities with *Rou Zhi* (Meat灵芝). This refers to a different entity with the same name.

I (Zhao Xuemin) note: The Guangdong gazetteer records "Bu Jing Mu" (Step-Startling Tree). Using tender leaves mixed with a few grains of rice, lightly stir-fried and decocted for drinking, can cure vomiting, diarrhea, and cold-phlegm. The flowers have a subtle fragrance; pedestrians encountering them often mistake them for *Hui Lan* (Hui Orchid), thus also called Bu Jing. People from Yong'an dry the tender leaves and take them to the capital as gifts. Examining their efficacy and shape, they might indeed be Night Orchid.

To treat all diseases caused by wind-cold, take the leaves, decoct in water, and ingest. After a short while, profuse expectoration of phlegm occurs. Alternatively, if one suffers severe vomiting and diarrhea due to exposure to wind-cold or heat-dampness while traveling, chewing a few leaves will cure the illness, whether vomiting occurs or not.

White Pepper, Mountain Pepper, Masadaji

*Observations from Border Regions*: Sichuan Pepper (Chuan Jiao) was already famous. Those produced at the corner of Li Da's city wall are particularly fragrant and pungent. The fruits are always paired in size, with dense flesh texture; the husk cracks but the seeds do not fall out, commonly called "Baby-Hugging Pepper" (Baowazi Jiao).

*Sichuan Gazetteer*: Various prefectures and counties produce pepper, but that from Maozhou is the best. Those whose husks open and close are especially exquisite. Its nature is the same as Sichuan Pepper, and it is even more effective in medicinal use.

Note: Authentic Li Pepper is rarely seen nowadays. What is obtained outside the region is mostly counterfeit, produced by local inhabitants using other origins. Its efficacy is merely comparable to Sichuan Pepper.

According to Liu Shaofu Yiqing: Holding one or two grains of authentic Li Pepper in the mouth can ward off miasma and toxins, and resolve poisoning from eating fish and shrimp. It can also serve as an instrument for guiding sexual fluids. There is a type of prostitute in that region suffering from malignant sores whom others dare not approach. By swallowing three grains of Li Pepper before contact, she remains unharmed. The next day, the pepper is excreted, having completely encapsulated her toxins without entering the human viscera. Therefore, authentic Li Pepper is highly valued locally and rarely sold to outsiders.