Panax japonicus
| Panax japonicus | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 2' |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Panax japonicus (common name: japanese ginseng)
Propagation: Seed - sow in a shady position in a cold frame preferably as soon as it is ripe, otherwise as soon as the seed is obtained. It can be very slow and erratic to germinate. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in a shady position in the greenhouse or frame for at least their first winter. Make sure the pots are deep enough to accommodate the roots. Plant out into their permanent positions in late summer.
Division in spring.
Cultivation: 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 much of the country. This species has 24 chromosomes which makes it quite distinct from P. ginseng which has 44 chromosomes[1]. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus.
Requires a moist humus rich soil in a shady position in a woodland[2].
Range: E. Asia - China, Japan.
Habitat: Woods in mountains all over Japan[3].
Edibility: The roots are used as a flavouring in teas and liqueurs[4]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.
Medicinal: Expectorant, tonic[5][1].
A decoction of the root is expectorant, febrifuge and stomachic[6].
Usage: The root contains up to 5% saponins and it might be possible to utilize them as a soap[K].
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Known Hazards: The root contains up to 5% saponins[1]. Saponins are found in many foods, such as some beans, and although they are fairly toxic to people they are poorly absorbed by the body and most pass straight through without any problem. Thorough cooking will als
Also Known As: P. pseudoginseng japonicus (C.A.Mey.)Hoo.&Tseng. P. repens. Max.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Kariyone, Tatsuo. Atlas of Medicinal Plants.
- ↑ Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Ohwi, Jisaburo. Flora of Japan. Smithsonian Institution, 1965.
- ↑ Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.
- ↑ Usher, George. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable, 1974.
- ↑ Duke, James and Edward Ayensu. Medicinal Plants of China. Reference Publications, 1985.