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(Tang Bencao)
[Ji Jie (Collected Explanations)] Gong stated: It grows in the mountains and marshes of the Qilu region. The leaves resemble those of ferns. The root is purple, similar to Zicao Gen (Radix Lithospermi), with a single plant approximately two cun in height. The roots are harvested in February and August, while the stems and leaves are harvested in May and June, then dried in the sun for use.
[Qi Wei (Flavor and Properties)] Pungent, bitter, warm, highly toxic.
[Zhu Zhi (Main Indications)] Guzhu (a chronic consumptive disease caused by insect toxins) and various pains caused by toxins (Tang Bencao).

(Bencao Gangmu)
[Shi Ming (Name Explanation)] Guanyin Lian (Avalokitesvara Lotus) (Bencao Gangmu), Xiutian Cao (Heaven-Shaming Grass) (Yuce), Tianhe (Heavenly Lotus) (Bencao Gangmu), Gehexian (River-Parting Immortal) (see below).
[Ji Jie (Collected Explanations)] Shizhen stated: Haiyu grows in Shu, and is now found everywhere. In spring, shoots emerge, reaching four or five chi in height. The large leaves resemble taro leaves and have petioles. Between summer and autumn, flower stalks emerge bearing flowers resembling a single petal of a lotus, which are greenish-blue. Inside the flower are stamens forming spikes, shaped like an image of Avalokitesvara within a halo, hence commonly called Guanyin Lian. Alchemists call it Gehexian, claiming it can transmute gold. Its tuberous root resembles a taro corm; the larger ones are as big as a sheng or bowl, six to seven cun long, belonging to the category of wild taro. Gengxin Yuce states: Xiutian Cao is a yin herb. It grows beside deep valleys and streams in Jiangguang regions. Its leaves are extremely large and can be used to shelter from rain; the leaf backs are purple. The flowers resemble lotuses. Both roots and leaves are highly toxic and can be used to process mercury powder/cinnabar. Smaller varieties are named Ye Yu (Wild Taro). Song Qi's "Praise for Haiyu" states: Woody stems, taro-like leaves, swollen and twisted. Nongjing does not record it, but it can treat leprosy.
[Qi Wei (Flavor and Properties)] Pungent, highly toxic.
[Zhu Zhi (Main Indications)] Malaria, miasma, toxic swelling, Fenglai (leprosy). Fu Sha (Shizhen's note).
[Fu Lu (Appendix): Tou Shan Gen]
Shizhen stated: According to Lou Shen Shu: Tou Shan Gen grows in the valleys of Shu. The herb resembles Miwu and can be used to transmute iron into gold. Once, someone harvesting herbs accidentally cut this plant, and the knife suddenly turned yellow and soft, becoming gold. Also, Gengxin Yuce states: Tou Shan Gen originates from Wudu. Applying its juice to iron instantly turns it into gold. It is highly toxic; if ingested by humans, the body transforms into purple water. There is also Jinying Cao, which also grows in Shu. It resembles Machixian (Portulaca oleracea) but is red in color, and can mold iron into gold. It is also highly toxic; upon entering the mouth, it kills humans, turning them into purple water in moments. He Yuan's Chunzhu Jiwen records: Liu Junfu, a retired official, returned to Chengdu. A chest containing quicksilver leaked while crossing a gorge. He hastily took cut horse grass to wipe it, and the sickles all turned to gold. Burning this grass in a stove also produced gold. Furthermore, Fa Jian, a monk from Lin'an, said: A traveler passing through Qianshan Mountain saw a snake with abdominal distension biting a certain grass and rubbing its abdomen against it until the distension subsided. Thinking this grass could cure distension, he kept it in his chest. At night, staying at an inn, he heard a neighbor groaning from abdominal distension. He boiled a cup of medicine in a pot and gave it to him. Soon, no sound was heard, and he thought the person had recovered. By morning, he saw that the person's flesh and blood had liquefied, leaving only bones on the bed. Looking at the pot, it had turned entirely into gold. Observing what He recorded, these are types such as Tou Shan Gen and Jinying Cao. Such highly toxic herbs must be known, so they are recorded in detail here.