Ranunculus chinensis

From Permawiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
Ranunculus chinensis
Light:Full Sun Part Shade
Moisture:Mesic Hydric
Soil pH:5.6-8.4
Height:2'
Blooms:Mid Spring-Early Fall
Native to:
Edible Rating:PFAF Edibility Rating
Tea:Yes
Poisonous

Ranunculus chinensis (common name: hui hui suan)

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. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is better to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are well established before planting them out in late spring or early summer.

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 many parts of this country. 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[2].

Range: E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea.

Habitat: Wet places in C. Japan[3]. By streams and rivers, wet grassy places, grassy slopes and meadows, below 3000 metres[4].

Edibility: Young leaves - boiled[5]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.

Pollinators: Insects

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

Flower Type: Hermaphrodite

Known Hazards: Although no specific record of toxicity has been found for this plant, many if not all members of this genus are poisonous. These toxins can be destroyed by heat or by drying[6][7][8][9][10][11]. Many if not all plants in this genus also have a strongl

Links

References

  1. Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
  2. Hatfield, Audrey. How to Enjoy your Weeds. Frederick Muller Ltd, 1974.
  3. Ohwi, Jisaburo. Flora of Japan. Smithsonian Institution, 1965.
  4. Flora of China. 1994.
  5. Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.
  6. Grieve, Margaret. A Modern Herbal. Penguin, 1984.
  7. Altmann, Horst. Poisonous Plants and Animals. Chatto and Windus, 1980.
  8. Triska, Jan. Encyclopaedia of Plants. Hamlyn, 1975.
  9. Stary, Frantisek. Poisonous Plants. Hamlyn, 1983.
  10. Elias, Thomas. A Field Guide to North American Edible Wild Plants. Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1982.
  11. Frohne, Dietrich and Hans Pfänder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Timber Press, 1984.