Forsythia of Anze

Forsythia of Anze

Forsythia of Anze is a Geographical Indication Protected Product.

　　Forsythia of Anze is a specialty of Anze County, Linfen City, Shanxi Province. Historically known as "Yueyang Forsythia," Anze Forsythia is renowned nationwide for its large size, plumpness, and high medicinal value, and is often referred to as the "No. 1 Forsythia-producing County in China." It has been awarded the status of a Geographical Indication Protected Product.

　　Anze County is located in the southern part of Shanxi Province, in the northeast of the Linfen region and at the southeastern foot of the Taihang Mountains, covering a total area of 1,967 square kilometers. It is the hometown of Xunzi, a great ancient Chinese philosopher, a national-level ecological demonstration zone, a provincial-level forest park, the No. 1 Forsythia-producing County in China, a millennium-old county, and a major coal resource county with largely undeveloped reserves. The Qinhe River, the second-largest river in Shanxi and the only unpolluted river in the province, flows through the county for 109 kilometers.

　　Historically known as "Yueyang Forsythia," Anze Forsythia is renowned nationwide for its large size, plumpness, and high medicinal value. It was first recorded on page 282 of the 1912 Annals of Anze County. According to a joint investigation report by provincial, regional, and county authorities in 1983, Anze County has a total of 282 varieties of traditional Chinese medicinal herbs. Excluding local synonyms for the same species, there are still 239 varieties. In 1986, Song Moujia, then Deputy Director of the National Pharmacopoeia Committee and former Director of the National Pharmaceutical Administration, pointed out at the Shanxi Traditional Chinese Medicine Acquisition Commendation Conference that "the best Forsythia in China comes from Shanxi, the best in Shanxi comes from Anze, and Anze Forsythia is the authentic product, renowned nationwide for its large size, high quality, and abundant yield."

　　The total area of Forsythia cultivation in the county exceeds 1.5 million mu, including 900,000 mu of open-field distribution and 600,000 mu under forest cover. The open-field portion includes 540,000 mu of wild dense growth, 110,000 mu of artificially planted areas, and 250,000 mu of scattered distribution. The annual yield of Forsythia in the county reaches 4 million kilograms, with a harvestable amount of up to 2.8 million kilograms, accounting for one-quarter of the national total, earning it the title of the "No. 1 Forsythia-producing County in China." Forsythia is widely distributed across Anze, with dense areas mainly concentrated in Huanghualing, Qingsongling, Sanjiaogou, and Luoyungou. Distribution by township is as follows: Mapi Township (200,000 mu), Jishi Town (220,000 mu), Ducun Township (140,000 mu), Fucheng Town (270,000 mu), Tangcheng Town (170,000 mu), Hechuan Town (200,000 mu), and Liangma Township (300,000 mu).

　　Quality and Technical Requirements for Anze Forsythia

　　I. Source Species

　　Forsythia (Forsythia suspensa (Thunb.) Vahl).

　　II. Growing Conditions

　　Altitude within the production area ranges from 800m to 1,400m above sea level. The soil types are cinnamon soil and meadow soil, with sandy loam texture, organic matter content ≥2.0%, and pH value between 6.5 and 7.5.

　　III. Cultivation

　　1. Seedling Cultivation: Seed propagation is carried out from late March to mid-April or early October to early November, using 1.5 kg to 2.5 kg of seeds per 667㎡ (mu).

　　2. Replanting: Hole planting is done from mid-March to mid-April or early October to early November. When replanting, 2 kg to 2.5 kg of well-rotted organic fertilizer is applied per hole.

　　3. Environmental and Safety Requirements: The use of pesticides, fertilizers, and other inputs must comply with national regulations, and environmental pollution must be avoided.

　　IV. Harvesting and Processing

　　1. Green Forsythia: Harvested in late August to early September when the fruits are initially ripe and still green. They are steamed with steam for 20 to 25 minutes, or boiled in boiling water for 8 to 12 minutes, then dried in the sun.

　　2. Mature Forsythia: Harvested in early October when the fruits are fully ripe, then dried in the sun.

　　V. Quality Characteristics

　　1. Sensory Characteristics:

　　(1) Green Forsythia: Oval-shaped, slightly flattened, 1.5 cm to 2.5 cm in length, 0.5 cm to 1.3 cm in diameter. The surface has irregular longitudinal wrinkles, with a distinct longitudinal groove on each side, mostly uncracked. The apex is sharply pointed and hard. The base has a small fruit stalk or it has fallen off, slender, with thin skin. There are few raised grayish-white spots. The surface is yellow-green or green-brown, and the inner surface is mostly light brown. It has a strong, fragrant aroma and a bitter taste.

　　(2) Mature Forsythia: Oval-shaped, slightly round, 1.5 cm to 2.5 cm in length, 0.5 cm to 1.3 cm in diameter. The surface has irregular longitudinal wrinkles and numerous raised small spots, with a distinct longitudinal groove on each side. The apex is sharply pointed and brittle. The shell is thick, with a smooth inner surface featuring a longitudinal septum. The surface is yellow-brown or reddish-brown, and the inner surface is mostly light yellow-brown. It has a faintly fragrant aroma and a bitter taste.

　　2. Physicochemical Indicators:

　　(1) Green Forsythia: Impurities ≤3%, moisture ≤8.0%, total ash ≤4.0%, alcohol-soluble extractives ≥30%, forsythoside A ≥4.0%, phillyrin ≥0.20%.

　　(2) Mature Forsythia: Impurities ≤9%, moisture ≤8.0%, total ash ≤4.0%, alcohol-soluble extractives ≥16%, forsythoside A ≥0.25%.

　　3. Safety and Other Quality Technical Requirements: Product safety and other quality technical requirements must comply with national regulations.

　　The production area of Anze Forsythia covers seven townships under the jurisdiction of Anze County, Shanxi Province: Fucheng Town, Tangcheng Town, Hechuan Town, Jiquan Town, Liangma Township, Ducun Township, and Mabi Township.