Phellodendron is a perennial herb with a bulb consisting of two bulbs underground. The stems are erect, about 50cm high, with broadly linear leaves, narrow at the apex, sometimes twining in a vine, in whorls of 3-4. From April to May, pendant bell-shaped yellowish flowers hang down from the sides of the upper part of the leaves. The mother-of-pearl flower is mainly found in central Zhejiang, Jiangsu and Hunan and has some ornamental and, most of all, medicinal value. Bayberry flowers can be used to treat coughs caused by colds, rhinitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, or sore throats, mainly with its linden stem part which is very medicinal, using it to brew water as tea, or dried and taken in the sun.