Luopu Arrowhead

Luopu Arrowhead

　　Arrowhead (also known as sprout mushroom) is a pollution-free, green health food. Its fruit is a unique vegetable-fruit in China, with relatively firm flesh and yellowish-white skin and flesh. It is mainly composed of starch, protein, and various vitamins, and is rich in trace elements such as iron, zinc, and boron that are essential for biological activity. It helps regulate and promote human bodily functions. It is recorded in Li Shizhen's *Compendium of Materia Medica*. Traditional Chinese medicine regards arrowhead as sweet and mild in nature, capable of promoting fluid production, moistening the lungs, and invigorating the spleen and qi. It has unique therapeutic effects on fatigue-related injuries, coughing, and wheezing. The main production areas of Luopu arrowhead are Dongcun Village, Shaxi Village, and Luoxi Village. According to local customs, arrowhead was often given to newlywed women as a symbol of having sons, accompanied by the blessing: “May you give birth to an arrowhead boy next year.” This gave the arrowhead, which carries connotations of having many children, great popularity. Luopu-grown arrowheads are larger in size and particularly high in quality, and in recent years have been honored as one of Panyu’s “Top Ten Famous and Special Agricultural Products.” In 2006, the newly established Luopu Subdistrict further promoted this agricultural product as a representative of Panyu’s produce. Through project support, establishment of production bases, and other efforts, they continuously improved product quality and expanded brand influence, allowing the arrowhead to be exported both domestically and internationally, becoming a beloved gift item and a uniquely flavorful local specialty.