Biennial herb, plant height 50-100cm. Smooth and powdered. The roots are hypertrophic, nearly conical, 2-3cm in diameter, 20-30cm in length, khaki-yellow on the surface, with short horizontal stripes and a few fibrous roots. Basal leaves rosette-like, leaves oblong to broadly oblanceolate, 5-15cm long, 1.5-4cm wide, apex obtuse, margin entire, or slightly serrated, with rounded auricles or inconspicuous ; Stem top leaves broadly striped, entire, sessile. Racemes terminal or axillary, forming a panicle at the top of branches; sepals 4, broadly ovate or broadly lanceolate, 2-3mm long; petals 4, yellow, broadly cuneate, 3-4mm long, apex nearly truncated, Margin entire, base with inconspicuous short claws; stamens 6, 4 long and 2 short, long stamens 3-3.2 mm long, short stamens 2-2.2 mm long; pistil 1, ovary nearly cylindrical, style demarcation indistinct, stigma truncate. Silicate sub-oblong, flat, glabrous, margin with membranous wings, especially the wings at both ends are wider, fruit petals with midrib. 1 seed, oblong, light brown. The flowering period is April-May, and the fruiting period is May-June.
It has strong adaptability to climate and soil conditions, is resistant to severe cold and likes warmth, but is afraid of waterlogging. It can grow normally in the Yangtze River Basin and the vast northern regions of my country.
The seeds are easy to germinate, germinate well within the range of 15C~30C, the germination rate is generally above 80%, and the seed life is 1~2 years.
The normal growth and development process must go through the low temperature stage in winter before it can bloom and bear seeds. Therefore, this feature is used in production, and spring or summer sowing is adopted. The leaves are harvested and the roots are dug in that year. If cultivated according to the normal growth period, it is only used for seed storage.
It has strong adaptability, does not have strict requirements on the natural environment and soil, is cold-resistant and likes warmth. It is a deep-rooted plant. It should be planted in sandy loam with deep, loose and fertile soil.
