（《纲目》）
【释名】海棠梨。
时珍曰∶按∶李德裕《草木记》云∶凡花木名海者，皆从海外来，如海棠之类是也。又
李白诗注云∶海红乃花名，出新罗国甚多。则海棠之自海外有据矣。
【集解】时珍曰∶《饮膳正要》果类有海红，不知出处，此即海棠梨之实也。状如木瓜
而小，二月开红花，实至八月乃熟。郑樵《通志》云∶海棠子名海红，即《尔雅》赤棠也。
沈立《海棠记》云∶棠有甘棠、沙棠、棠梨，皆非海棠也。海棠盛于蜀中。其出江南者
名南海棠，大抵相类，而花差小。棠性多类梨。其核生者长慢，十数年乃花。以枝接梨及木
瓜者易茂，其根色黄而盘劲，其木坚而多节，外白中赤。其枝叶密而条畅。其叶类杜，大者
缥绿色，小者浅紫色。
二月开花五出，初如胭脂点点然，开则渐成缬晕，落则有若素妆淡粉。其蒂长寸余，淡
紫色，或三萼、五萼成丛。其蕊如金粟，中有紫须。其实状如梨，大如樱桃，至秋可食，味
甘酸。大抵海棠花以紫绵色者为正，余皆棠梨耳。海棠花不香，惟蜀之嘉州者有香而木大。
有黄海棠，花黄。贴干海棠，花小而鲜。垂丝海棠，花粉红向下。皆无子，非真海棠也。
子
【气味】酸、甘，平，无毒。
【主治】泄痢（时珍。出《正要》）。
(From *Bencao Gangmu*)
[Names] Haitangli (Sea Crabapple Pear).
Li Shizhen stated: According to Li Deyu's *Caomu Ji* (Record of Plants and Trees), any plant or flower with "Hai" (Sea) in its name originates from overseas, such as Haitang (Crabapple). Furthermore, the annotation to Li Bai's poems states that "Haihong" is a flower name, originating from Silla (ancient Korea), where it is abundant. Thus, there is evidence that Haitang originated from overseas.
[Collected Explanations] Li Shizhen stated: The *Yinshan Zhengyao* (Correct Essentials for Food and Drink) lists "Haihong" under fruits but does not specify its origin; this is actually the fruit of Haitangli. Its shape resembles Mu Gua (Chaenomeles speciosa / Flowering Quince) but is smaller. It blooms with red flowers in the second lunar month, and the fruit ripens by the eighth lunar month. Zheng Qiao's *Tongzhi* states that the seed of Haitang is called Haihong, which corresponds to Chitang mentioned in *Erya*. Shen Li's *Haitang Ji* notes that Tang includes Gantang, Satang, and Tangli, none of which are Haitang. Haitang thrives in Shu (Sichuan). The variety from Jiangnan is called Nan Haitang (Southern Haitang); generally similar, but the flowers are slightly smaller. The nature of Tang trees is largely similar to Pear trees. Those grown from seeds grow slowly and take over ten years to bloom. However, those grafted onto Pear or Chaenomeles branches grow vigorously. Its roots are yellowish and gnarled/tough; the wood is hard and knotty, white on the outside and reddish inside. The branches and leaves are dense yet orderly. The leaves resemble those of Du Li (Pyrus betulifolia); large ones are pale green, small ones light purple.
It blooms in the second lunar month with five petals. Initially, it looks like spots of rouge; upon full bloom, it gradually forms patterns resembling dyed silk; when falling, it appears like light powder makeup. The calyx stalk is over one cun long, pale purple, sometimes forming clusters of three or five sepals. The stamens resemble golden millet grains, with purple filaments in the center. The fruit resembles a pear, the size of a cherry, edible in autumn, with a sweet and sour taste. Generally, Haitang flowers of purple cotton-like color are considered authentic; others are merely Tangli. Haitang flowers are scentless, except for those from Jiazhou in Shu, which are fragrant and grow into large trees. There is Huang Haitang (Yellow Haitang) with yellow flowers; Tiegan Haitang with small, bright flowers; and Chuansi Haitang (Weeping Silk Haitang) with pink flowers drooping downwards. These produce no seeds and are not true Haitang.
[Properties and Flavors] Sour, Sweet, Neutral, Non-toxic.
[Indications] Diarrhea and dysentery (Li Shizhen, citing *Yinshan Zhengyao*).