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Brought from ships of the Eastern Seas (Japan), the leaves resemble a hair comb's base, growing on both sides, forming fine pointed segments. When smelled, it has a clear fragrance, similar to that of plum blossoms.

Note: *Qunfang Pu* records: The Iron Tree originates from Hainan and is abundant in Fujian and Guangdong. Its flowers resemble lanterns made of iron wires, with thousands of petals spread out, each petal containing one flower. Cheng Fuyao's *Hua Jing* records: The leaves of the Iron Tree are similar to those of Photinia (*Shinanthus*), with a dense and thick texture; dried leaves are all purple-black. The flowers are purple-white like Daphne odora (*Ruixiang*), with four petals rarely clustered together, blooming for months without fading, yet smelling of grass when sniffed. People in Hainan say: This tree is extremely common in Lizhou, some reaching one or two chi in length, with dense leaves and red flowers. The trunk resembles iron, and its branches intertwine intricately, possessing artistic beauty. It is best potted for viewing. However, as people rarely see it, it is called a curiosity. At the home of Yin Guanzhi, Commander of Xunxiang Guard in Hengzhou, there was an Iron Tree that bloomed every Dingmao year, whereas those from Mount Wutai definitely bloomed on the 19th day of the sixth lunar month. Yang Wanli's commentary on poetry states: The leaves of the Iron Tree resemble [missing character] but are purple, and the trunk is like densely jointed Acorus calamus (*Changpu*). Such various accounts refer to the same "Iron Tree," yet their flowering and foliage differ so greatly. The Iron Tree currently brought from overseas and used in secular medicine has leaves shaped like a hair comb's base. It is said that this tree must be fertilized with iron filings to thrive; thus, it is actually the leaf of the Banana Plant (*Fen Jiao*). Because it "eats iron," it is also named the Iron Tree. Its nature can soothe the Liver (*Gan*), utilizing the principle of mutual restraint, which is quite effective. Xie Zhaozhe's *Wuza Zu* records: The Banana Plant can ward off fire disasters. When withering, if fertilized with iron filings or if iron nails are driven into its roots, it revives. This is because Metal generates Water. When planted in pots, it does not grow tall, shedding only one leaf per year, with growth less than one cun, and rarely flowers. In thirty years, it may bloom only twice. The flowers resemble those of the banana plant but are yellow and do not produce fruit. *Qunfang Pu* records: Phoenix-tail Banana (*Fengwei Jiao*), also known as Fan Jiao, originates from Iron Mountain. If slightly withered, piercing it with a red-hot iron rod brings it back to life. Normally, mixing iron filings with mud to fertilize it promotes lush growth, and propagating by seeds or division is easy. It exists in Tuzhou, Jiangxi. *Hua Jing* records: Phoenix-tail Banana, also known as Fan Jiao, originates from Iron Mountain and is found in Jiangxi and Fujian. Leaves are two to three chi long, each producing fine pointed segments resembling a phoenix tail, deep green in color, remaining evergreen in winter. If slightly withered and yellowing, nailing a red-hot iron rod to the base restores vitality. Without regular watering and fertilizing, applying raw iron filings mixed with mud ensures lush growth, and propagation by seeds or division is easy. It is highly effective at warding off fire disasters. Many people pot them in courtyards as curiosities. My friend Tang Zhensheng saw Phoenix-tail Bananas in Dong'ou, where locals all called them Iron Trees. Thus, it is known that the leaves used today and brought by overseas ships are indeed Fan Jiao leaves, not true Iron Tree leaves. Li Shizhen (Binhu) listed only Sweet Banana (*Gan Jiao*) and Lotus Banana (*He*) in the section on low-lying herbs, omitting Tiger-head and Phoenix-tail bananas, perhaps because their properties were unknown at the time. I record them here to fill this gap.

Soothes the Liver (*Gan*), treating all types of Liver Qi pain.

Dystocia (Difficult Labor): Decoct three pieces of Iron Tree leaf in one bowl of water and ingest. The fetus will be delivered immediately. (From *Zhinan*)