家宝真传云∶亦名铁连草，生于铁山铜壁之上，又铁石之上亦生，并非草本，形如屏风。
状
如孔雀尾分张，黑色细枝，刀砍不断，斧之乃折。
治一切心胃及气痛，煎汤服，立愈。
药性考∶铁树黑色，叶类石楠，逢丁卯年开花四瓣，紫白色，形如瑞香，圆小不 ，树
高数
尺。止血下痰，其花人采以治痰水。
留青日札∶铁树花海南出，树高一二尺，叶密而红，枝皆铁色，生于海底。谚云∶铁树
开花
，喻难得也。
出福建、台湾五虎山者佳。一茎独上，叶抱茎生，不相对，形类蕉而小，苗高五六寸，
秋时
起茎，开花似兰，色红，结实有刺，类芘麻子外面苞状。若高三四尺者，名美人蕉，系一类
二种也。（今闽沙县亦出。）草宝∶虎头蕉性温力猛，有毒，能治风痹。凡服者不得过二钱，
服后须避风，倘不谨慎，必发风疹。
治风痹，性热去风。
治血淋白带，一切吐血。舟车经验方∶用芭蕉一大片，入锅内炒干存性，为末，黄酒调
服。
立效。此方亦治一切吐血，若用美人蕉，更妙。
宦游笔记∶南人呼为 麻，北人呼为蝎子草。黔境遍地有之。叶类麻，多毛刺，触之螫
人，
肿痛不可忍。此毒甚于蜂虿蝎蝮。墨庄漫录∶川陕间有一种恶草，罗生于野，其枝叶佛入肌
肉，即成疮泡，浸淫溃烂，久不能愈，即 麻也。白香山诗∶飓风千里黑， 草四时青。此
草有花无实，雪下犹青故也。人海记∶塞山有毒草，中人肌肤，毒甚蜂虿，自唐山营逾汗铁
木岭外，遍地有之。俗名蝎子草。芦高四五尺，叶如麻，嫩时可供马秣，经霜则辛螫不可触
。纲目 麻条，止载其涂蛇毒，点风疹，他皆未及，悉补之。
治疯。采取煮汁洗，亦可肥豕。
*Jiabao Zhuan* records: It is also known as Tie Lian Cao (Iron-Link Grass), growing upon iron mountains and copper cliffs, as well as on iron stones. It is not a herbaceous plant; its shape resembles a screen. Its form spreads out like a peacock's tail, with slender black branches that cannot be cut by a knife but break when struck by an axe. It treats all types of heart, stomach, and qi pain; decocted in water and taken orally, it brings immediate cure.
*Xingxing Kao* records: The Iron Tree is entirely black, with leaves resembling those of *Photinia serratifolia* (Shi Nan). It blooms once every Ding-Mao year, producing four-petaled flowers that are purple-white in color, shaped like *Daphne odora* (Rui Xiang) flowers—round and small. The tree grows several chi tall. It stops bleeding and resolves phlegm; its flowers are harvested by people to treat phlegm-fluid retention diseases.
*Liuqing Rizha* records: The flowers of the Iron Tree originate from Hainan. The tree is one or two chi tall, with dense red leaves and iron-colored branches, said to grow at the bottom of the sea. The proverb says, "The Iron Tree blooms," metaphorically referring to something extremely rare.
Those originating from Wuhu Mountain in Fujian and Taiwan are considered superior. A single stem rises independently, with leaves embracing the stem and not opposite each other. The shape is similar to banana plants but smaller; the seedling height is five or six cun. In autumn, the flowering stem emerges. The flowers resemble orchids, are red in color, and bear spiny fruits resembling the husks of *Abutilon theophrasti* (Qing Ma) seeds. If it grows three or four chi tall, it is called Meiren Jiao (Beauty Banana); this belongs to the same category but different species. (Currently, Shaxian County in Fujian also produces them.)
*Cao Bao* records: Hutou Jiao (Tiger-Head Banana) has a warm nature and potent force; it is toxic but can treat wind-bi syndrome. Those who take it must not exceed two qian. After ingestion, one must avoid wind exposure; otherwise, if not cautious, wind-rash will inevitably erupt. To treat wind-bi, its heat-nature dispels wind pathogenic factors.
It treats blood strangury, leukorrhea, and all types of hematemesis. *Zhouche Jingyan Fang* records: Take a large leaf of banana plant, stir-fry it in a pot until charred but retaining its medicinal property, grind into powder, and mix with yellow wine for oral administration. It acts immediately. This prescription also treats all types of hematemesis; using Meiren Jiao (Beauty Banana) is even more effective.
*Huanyou Biji* records: Southerners call it [missing character] Ma, while Northerners call it Xiezi Cao (Scorpion Grass). It is ubiquitous in Guizhou. The leaves resemble hemp, covered with many hairs and thorns; touching it stings the skin, causing unbearable swelling and pain. Its toxicity is greater than that of bees, scorpions, and vipers.
*Mozhuang Manlu* records: Between Sichuan and Shaanxi, there exists a vicious weed growing densely in the wild. Its branches and leaves pierce into the flesh, forming blisters that exude fluid and ulcerate, refusing to heal for a long time; this is [missing character] Ma. Bai Juyi wrote in his poem: "Hurricanes darken thousands of li, [missing character] grass remains green throughout the seasons." This grass has flowers but no fruit, remaining green even under snow due to this reason.
*Renhai Ji* records: There are poisonous weeds in the border mountains; penetrating the skin, their toxicity surpasses that of bees and scorpions. Beyond the Han Tie Mu Ridge past Tangshan Camp, they grow everywhere. The common name is Xiezi Cao (Scorpion Grass). They reach four or five chi in height, with leaves like hemp. When tender, they can serve as horse fodder; after frost, they become pungent and stinging, making them untouchable. *Bencao Gangmu*, under the entry for [missing character] Ma, only recorded its use for applying snake venom and treating wind-rash, omitting other aspects. All these are supplemented here.
To treat madness: Collect the plant, boil it to make juice, and wash the affected area. It can also be used to fatten pigs.