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Swertia japonica - (Roem.&Schult.)Makino.

Common Name
Family Gentianaceae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Sunny slopes and thickets in lowland and hills all over Japan[58].
Range E. Asia - Japan.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Moist Soil Wet Soil Semi-shade
Swertia japonica


Swertia japonica

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Swertia japonica is a ANNUAL growing to 0.2 m (0ft 8in). The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs).
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers moist or wet soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; Bog Garden;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves
Edible Uses:

The leaves might be edible cooked as a potherb[177].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Appetizer  Bitter  Stomachic

The whole plant is bitter and stomachic[174]. It is used in the treatment of digestive disorders.

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors in many parts of this country. The plant is monocarpic, living for one to three years before flowering and dying after it flowers[58]. It is cultivated as a medicinal herb in China[238].It requires a symbiotic relationship with soil bacteria[174]. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Succeeds in a moist humus-rich soil in damp light woodlands, streamsides or the bog garden[200]. Grows best in areas with cool summers[200].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

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Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant Propagation

Seed - sow spring in temperatures not exceeding 10°c in a humus-rich medium[200]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them Tu in early summer.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Korea, Japan (Hokkaidô, Honshu, Kyushu, Ryukyu Islands, Shikoku)

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Swertia bimaculata Annual/Biennial0.6 6-9  LMHSNM10 
Swertia chirayitaChirettaAnnual1.0 6-9  LMHSMWe03 
Swertia petiolata Perennial0.6 6-9  LMHSMWe02 

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

(Roem.&Schult.)Makino.

Botanical References

58

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

Deni Bown   Tue Nov 10 2009

Your comment of Deni Bown's Encyclopedia of Herbs & Their Uses is out of date. In the the 2nd edition (2001) each herb has a single entry. The 2-part arrangement in the 1st edition was done at the publisher's insistence. I got my way in the 2nd edition! Herbally, Deni Bown

David (volunteer)   Tue Nov 10 2009

Thanks for pointing this out, I'll see about getting that changed, possibly could take a little while. One of my favorite books!

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