貝(bei)母(mu)(mu)(mu)為(wei)多年(nian)生草(cao)本植物。其鱗莖供(gong)藥(yao)用(yong)。因其形狀得名(ming)(ming),《本草(cao)經集注》說:“形似聚貝(bei)子(zi)”,故名(ming)(ming)貝(bei)母(mu)(mu)(mu),能止咳化(hua)痰、清(qing)熱散(san)結之(zhi)功。別名(ming)(ming):勤母(mu)(mu)(mu)、苦菜(cai)、苦花、空草(cao),藥(yao)實(shi)。產于青海、四川、云南、陜(shan)西秦巴(ba)山區、甘肅等(deng)地。其按(an)產地不(bu)同可(ke)分為(wei)四類(lei):川貝(bei)母(mu)(mu)(mu)、浙貝(bei)母(mu)(mu)(mu)、土貝(bei)母(mu)(mu)(mu)、伊貝(bei)母(mu)(mu)(mu),平貝(bei)母(mu)(mu)(mu)喜冷涼濕潤的環境(jing)條件,貝(bei)母(mu)(mu)(mu)以排水良好、土層深厚、疏松、富含腐殖質的沙(sha)壤(rang)土種植為(wei)好。