As the most commonly found pipewort in the local wild, Six-angular Pipewort quietly takes root along freshwater marshes and stream banks, and even within damp rock crevices. Its linear leaves grow in clusters on wet mud, and at first glance, it appears to be nothing more than an unremarkable roadside weed.

Yet when Six-angular Pipewort blooms during summer and autumn, its slender scapes bear greyish-white, near-spherical capitulum inflorescence at their tips, as though nature had carelessly scattered pearls among lush green grass.

These greyish-white capitulums can be used medicinally after drying and are known as “Gu Jing Zhu” (穀精珠), with the properties of clearing heat, dispelling wind, and benefiting the liver and eyes.