Polygonum yokusaianum

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Polygonum yokusaianum
Light:Full Sun Part Shade
Moisture:Mesic
Soil pH:5.6-8.4
Open Woods Forest
Native to:
Edible Rating:PFAF Edibility Rating
Tea:Yes
Poisonous

Polygonum yokusaianum

Propagation: Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. Germination is usually free and easy. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer if they have reached sufficient size. If not, overwinter them in a cold frame and plant them out the following spring after the last expected frosts.

Cultivation: We have very little information on this species and do not know if it is hardy in Britain, though it should be possible to grow it as a spring-sown annual in this country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus.

Succeeds in an ordinary garden soil[1] but prefers a moisture retentive not too fertile soil in sun or part shade[2]. Repays generous treatment[1].

Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[3].

Range: E. Asia - Japan.

Habitat: Woods in foothills all over Japan[4].

Edibility: Young plant - cooked[5].

Seed - raw or cooked. It is rather small and fiddly to utilize.

Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.

Flower Type: Hermaphrodite

Known Hazards: Although no specific mention has been made for this species, there have been reports that some members of this genus can cause photosensitivity in susceptible people._x005F

Many species also contain oxalic acid (the distinctive lemony flavour of sorrel) - whil

Also Known As: P. caespitosum laxiflorum. Meissn. Persicaria yokusaianum. (Mak.)Nakai.

Links

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
  2. Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
  3. Thomas, Graham. Perennial Garden Plants. J. M. Dent & Sons, 1990.
  4. Ohwi, Jisaburo. Flora of Japan. Smithsonian Institution, 1965.
  5. Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.