Stone Pillar Water Shield

Stone Pillar Water Shield

Stone Pillar water shield is a geographical indication agricultural product.

　　Water shield was once an imperial tribute and has a history of over 1,600 years. The Book of Jin records: “Water shield and perch slices—so coveted even nobles longed for them.” A perennial aquatic herbaceous plant of the water lily family, water shield is one of the “Three Famous Dishes of the South” (water bamboo shoots, perch, and water shield), rich in protein, sugar, iron, as well as various nutrients such as aspartic acid and leucine. It has the effects of reducing swelling, detoxifying, beautifying, and aiding weight loss. Medical experts from Japan, the United States, South Korea, and China have confirmed that water shield can help treat various diseases including stomach cancer and esophageal cancer. Currently, apart from the three major water shield production bases in Shizhu Huangshui and West Lake in Hangzhou in China, and Fubaoshan in Lichuan, only Japan still cultivates it in small quantities.

　　With the development of tourism in the Shizhu Huangshui National Forest Park, water shield has been processed into various packaged tourist goods and is sold well in Southeast Asia, Japan, South Korea, the United States, Singapore, and other countries and regions. “Eating mountain delicacies, drinking lotus tea, and savoring water shield soup” has become a new representative of Tujia ethnic cuisine culture. Water shield fields have also become a unique landscape in the Huangshui National Forest Park, offering both high ornamental and economic value.

　　Geographic Scope

　　The protected production area of Shizhu water shield covers 11 villages and communities across 3 towns in Shizhu Tujia Autonomous County, Chongqing. These include WanSheng Village, YangDong Village, Huangshui Community, and QiLong Community in Huangshui Town; BaLong Village, HeYuan Village, and TianHe Village in LengShui Town; and ShiYu Village, ShuangTang Village, FengZhu Village, and FengMu Village in FengMu Township, totaling 11 villages and communities. The geographic coordinates span longitude 108°23′ to 108°33′ and latitude 30°07′ to 30°18′. The area extends east to FengZhu Village in FengMu Township, south to HeYuan Village in LengShui Town, west to HuangShui Community in HuangShui Town, and north to YangDong Village in HuangShui Town. The production area covers 867 hectares with an annual yield of 13,000 tons.

　　Product Quality Characteristics

　　1. Appearance Characteristics: The leaves of Shizhu water shield are green on the surface and light dark red on the underside, floating on the water’s surface. The new buds, young leaves, and flower buds are wrapped in crystal-clear pectin, which is thick and has a volume ratio to the wrapped plant parts greater than 1:1. The texture is tender, fragrant, and refreshing. 2. Internal Quality: Shizhu water shield contains 0.4–0.5g of protein per 100g, 1.4–1.7g of carbohydrates per 100g, 0.35–0.5g of polysaccharides per 100g, 100–120mg of calcium per kg, and 1.5–2mg of zinc per kg. 3. Quality and Safety Standards: The production environment of Shizhu water shield complies with the NY/T391 Green Food Production Environment Quality Requirements, and the product quality meets the NY/T1405 Green Food Aquatic Vegetable Standard.