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Ranunculus japonicus - Thunb.

Common Name Mao Gen
Family Ranunculaceae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
Known Hazards The leaves are poisonous. The toxicity is of a low measure and the toxins can be destroyed by heat or by drying[4, 10, 13, 19, 62, 65]. Many if not all plants in this genus also have a strongly acrid juice that can cause blistering to the skin[65, 183].
Habitats Moist soils in grassy places in lowland and mountains all over Japan[58].
Range E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Ranunculus japonicus Mao Gen


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Stan_Shebs
Ranunculus japonicus Mao Gen

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Ranunculus japonicus is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.1 m (0ft 4in) by 0.3 m (1ft). It is in flower from May to July. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
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) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves
Edible Uses:

Leaves - cooked[105]. The leaves contain a low level of toxicity that is not enough to be injurious[179].

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.
Antiperiodic  Antitumor  Decongestant  Malaria  Vermifuge

The plant is decongestant and vermicide[147, 218]. It is used in the treatment of malaria[147, 218]. The plant contains antitumour compounds[218].

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 most parts of the country. It is clsely related to R. acris[266]. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Prefers a moist loamy soil[1]. A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes[54].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. Division in spring.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

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 :

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Ranunculus pallasiiButtercup, Pallas' buttercupPerennial0.1 0-0  LMHSNMWe10 
Ranunculus pennsylvanicusPennsylvania ButtercupAnnual/Perennial1.0 -  LMHSNMWe112
Ranunculus quelpaertensis Perennial0.6 -  LMHSNMWe10 
Ranunculus repensCreeping Buttercup, Prairie Double-flowered Buttercup, Water Buttercup, Creeping ButtercupPerennial0.3 3-8 FLMHSNM110
Ranunculus reptansCreeping SpearwortPerennial0.2 - FLMHSNMWe10 
Ranunculus rivularis Perennial0.0 -  LMHSNM01 
Ranunculus sceleratusCelery-Leaved Buttercup, Cursed buttercupPerennial0.6 0-0  LMHSNMWeWa111
Ranunculus tachreoi Perennial1.0 -  LMHSNM10 
Ranunculus ternatus Perennial0.3 -  LMHSNM01 

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.

 

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Author

Thunb.

Botanical References

58266

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Subject : Ranunculus japonicus  
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