Apocynum hendersonii from the 31st Regiment of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps

Apocynum hendersonii from the 31st Regiment of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps

　　The 31st Regiment of the Second Division of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps is located in Yuli County, Bayingolin Mongol Autonomous Prefecture—the largest prefecture in China—within the northeastern edge of the Tarim Basin and the Taklamakan Desert. The natural ecological environment here is extremely harsh: summers are scorching and windy, with an absolute maximum temperature of 42°C; precipitation is scarce and evaporation is high; sunlight is abundant and heat is plentiful, with annual sunshine hours reaching 2,889.600. The harsh environmental conditions mean that wild vegetation in the Tarim Basin is very sparse and precious, and wild Apocynum hendersonii is a particularly rare species that serves both medicinal and edible purposes. Within the 31st Regiment, Apocynum hendersonii is the most lush wild plant, growing tall with stems reaching 1.5 to 2 meters, and up to over 4 meters in height. Its vitality is extremely tenacious, with drought-resistant, alkali-resistant, and cold-resistant characteristics that make it fully adapted to the local harsh natural conditions of desertification and salinization. The unique natural ecological environment results in Apocynum hendersonii leaves from the 31st Regiment containing significantly higher levels of medicinal active ingredients such as hyperoside, quercetin, and rutin compared to other production areas, and they are also rich in amino acids as well as trace elements such as potassium, calcium, and magnesium. As a result, the Apocynum hendersonii produced in the Tarim Reclamation Area is considered the “finest of the finest” within the Apocynum family.

　　III. Geographic Scope

　　The 31st Regiment of the Second Division of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps is located within Yuli County, Bayingolin Mongol Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang, on the northeastern edge of the Tarim Basin and the Taklamakan Desert, at an altitude of 820–1,100 meters. Its geographical coordinates are: 86°45′–87°00′ east longitude and 40°49′–40°59′ north latitude. The climate is a typical continental arid climate, characterized by dryness, little rainfall, and long sunshine hours, with an annual precipitation of only 20–100 millimeters. The protected geographic area includes the entire 31st Regiment of the Second Division of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, covering a total area of 105,500 mu, with an annual output of 5,964 tons of fresh Apocynum hendersonii leaves.

　　IV. Product Quality Characteristics

　　(1) External Sensory Characteristics: The plant usually grows to about 1 to 1.5 meters in height, with a maximum of 2.5 meters; the leaves are alternate, elliptical or lanceolate in shape, deep green in color with a grayish-green underside, generally 0.7–1.5 cm wide and 4.0–6.0 cm long; the calyx has 5 lobes, the corolla is pendulous, and each flower petal has a dark-colored line running from the base toward the tip, with a flared, deep red pattern between the two lobes that is open at both ends, while the outer part of the flower is entirely white—making the flower appear pink from a distance. Both the leaves and flowers of Apocynum hendersonii are the best raw materials for making Apocynum tea. (2) Internal Quality Indicators: The wild Apocynum hendersonii of the 31st Regiment is widely distributed in the saline-alkali land and sandy wastelands of the Tarim Reclamation Area, making it one of the best wild Apocynum production regions in the country. It is rich in medicinal components such as quercetin, rutin, hyperoside, and 15 types of amino acids. Testing shows that per 100g of product, hyperoside ≥ 0.3%, quercetin ≥ 300mg/100g, rutin ≥ 400mg/100g, total amino acid content ≥ 5500mg/100g, along with rich nutritional content including calcium, magnesium, and potassium—per 100g of product, calcium ≥ 800mg/100g, magnesium ≥ 750mg/100g, potassium ≥ 2000mg/100g. Therefore, the Apocynum hendersonii produced in the Tarim Reclamation Area is considered the “finest of the finest” within the Apocynum family. (3) Safety Requirements: The surrounding environment of the regiment is free from industrial pollution, with good soil and water quality, ensuring a safe growing environment for wild Apocynum hendersonii.