Grass beads, a plant rich in rural memories, once carried the joy and creativity of childhood. The plant resembles corn in appearance, but its unique fruit was once picked by children and used to string necklaces, bracelets, and even decorate door curtains. However, in today's rural areas, grass beads have become increasingly scarce. In this article, we will reacquaint ourselves with this plant, learn about its background, characteristics, and deep connection to people's lives.
The scientific name of grass beads is Coix and belongs to the genus Coix in the family Poaceae. It is an annual herb with seedlings very similar to corn, which is why it is called "grass beads". Its stems are erect, reaching a height of one to two meters, with numerous branches in the upper part and a yellowish-white color at the roots. The leaves of the grass beads are broad, similar to corn leaves, while their flowers appear in racemes and bloom from June to December each year. Grass beads have a wide distribution range and are mainly grown in many provinces and regions of China, such as Liaoning, Hebei, Shanxi, Shandong, Henan, Jiangsu, Anhui, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Hubei, Hunan, Fujian, Taiwan, Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, Sichuan, Guizhou and Yunnan. It usually grows wild in moist rural areas, such as ponds, ditches, valleys, and streams, however, nowadays it has become difficult to find in rural areas.
In the eighties and nineties of the last century, rural children often went to the ditch to catch crabs, and the fruit of the grass beads became their interesting playmates. The fruit produced by this plant has a unique feature: it has a small hole in the middle. Children will use ropes to pass through the hole and decorate their homes by stringing grass beads into necklaces, bracelets, and even door curtains. The creativity and craftsmanship are amazing, and the grass beads are endowed with a special emotion. It is not only a plant, but also a part of childhood that leaves wonderful memories.
Grass beads also have an important value in craftsmanship. It is often used to make Buddhist beads, which requires a high degree of craftsmanship. In order to meet the market demand, some places even specially cultivated artificially, but in rural areas, it still grows more wild.
In addition to its craft and decorative value, grass beads are also used as high-quality cattle feed in rural areas. Cattle are particularly fond of eating the tender green stems and leaves of grass beads, which are comparable to corn stalks. In addition, grass beads also have medicinal value and are widely used in the field of traditional Chinese medicine, which helps to strengthen the spleen and lungs, dispel rheumatism, diuretic, sedative and remove spasm.
Nowadays, however, the opportunity for grass beads to grow in the rural wild is becoming increasingly scarce. This may be related to the widespread use of herbicides, as it belongs to the grass family and is susceptible to herbicides. This change has sparked attention to this traditional plant, as well as reflections on the rural way of life.
Let's dive into more aspects of grass beads. This plant has different names and traditions in different regions. In some places, it is called "corn grass", while in others, it is called "bamboo". This diversity is a reflection of China's vast land and culture.
The history of grass beads dates back hundreds of years. It was once part of rural life, providing people with food, crafts and medicinal herbs. However, with urbanization and the rise of modern agriculture, this traditional plant has gradually been marginalized. People are more inclined to buy industrially produced goods and are no longer dependent on the resources provided by nature. This change has led to threats to ecosystems in rural areas and the loss of rural culture.
In rural areas, grass beads are not just a plant, they are part of a deep connection to people's lives. It witnesses the happy times of the children and also provides a rich resource for the farmers. Accompanied by grass beads, rural children learn to create, learn to share, and learn to respect nature. This traditional value should be passed down in order to preserve the uniqueness of rural life.
The current situation of grass beads has also led to thinking about ecological protection. With the expansion of cities and the advancement of industrialization, the natural environment in rural areas has been destroyed. The use of herbicides not only affects the growth of grass beads, but also poses a threat to other plants and organisms. The protection of grass beads is not only about preserving one plant, but also about maintaining the ecological balance and the diversity of rural cultures.
So, what can we do to preserve grass beads and rural memories? First of all, it is necessary to raise awareness about this plant. Through education and awareness-raising, interest in grass beads can be increased and they can be encouraged to preserve and pass on the tradition. In addition, governments and social organizations can take steps to limit the use of herbicides to reduce the threat to the growth of grass beads. At the same time, people are encouraged to plant and protect grass beads to ensure their continued existence in the future.
In rural areas, conservation areas for grass beads can be established to provide training and support to help farmers better manage this resource. Not only does this help protect the grass beads, but it also provides an additional source of income for farmers. By combining grass beads with tourism, more people can be attracted to learn about and appreciate the plant, while also bringing development opportunities to rural areas.
Most importantly, we need to realize that grass beads are not just a plant, they represent a way of life and values. Protecting grass beads means preserving the diversity of rural cultures and lifestyles. This cultural treasure should be passed on so that future generations can continue to enjoy the joy of being in touch with nature.
To sum up, grass beads are a plant rich in rural memory, which not only has decorative and craft value, but also provides a rich resource for rural life. Today, however, it has become increasingly scarce in rural areas and faces a threat to its survival. The protection of grass beads is not only about preserving one plant, but also about maintaining the ecological balance and the diversity of rural cultures. Through education, advocacy and policy support, we can preserve this tradition so that it continues to bring joy and creativity to people. The grass beads represent the beautiful memories of the countryside and the awe and respect for nature.