Practical
Plants

Artemisia japonica

a perennial member of the Artemisia genus in the family Compositae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
1 m
Fertility
Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Although no reports of toxicity have been seen for this species, skin contact with some members of this genus can cause dermatitis or other allergic reactions in some people[5].

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Young leaves - cooked. Used as a vegetable[4].

Plant part
Leaves

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The leaves are digestive[2]. A decoction of the leaves is said to promote a plump figure, but too much is said to be deleterious and can cause hypertension[4]. The expressed juice of the plant is used in the treatment of vaginitis[2][4]. It is also used to treat skin diseases[9]. Theplant is used for making antitoxifying and antifebrile drugs[8].

Product or use
Depurative
Product or use
Febrifuge
Product or use
Digestive
Product or use
Women's complaints
Product or use
Skin

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The powder of the dried plant is used as an incense[9].

Product or use
Incense

Environment

Range
E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea.
Habitat
Sunny hills and low elevations in mountains all over Japan[10]. Forest margins, waste areas, shrublands, hills, slopes and roadsides from low elevations to 3300 metres[8].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 8+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
drought
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
tolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - surface sow from late winter to early summer in a greenhouse, making sure that the compost does not dry out[3]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant out in late spring or early summer. Division in spring or autumn[3]. Basal cuttings in late spring. Harvest the young shoots when about10 - 15cm long, pot up in a lightly shaded position in a greenhouse or cold frame and plant them out when well rooted. Very easy.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Easily grown in a well-drained circumneutral or slightly alkaline loamy soil, preferring a warm sunny dry position[1][3]. Established plants are drought tolerant[3]. This species is not very hardy in the colder areas of Britain, it tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c[3]. Plants are longer lived, more hardy and more aromatic when they are grown in a poor dry soil[7]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[6].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩

  2. Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre

    ↩1↩2

  3. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  4. Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4

    ↩1↩2↩3

  5. Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0395467225

    ↩

  6. Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8

    ↩

  7. Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8

    ↩

  8. Flora of China 1994-00-00 http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/

    ↩1↩2

  9. Manandhar. N. P. Plants and People of Nepal Timber Press. Oregon. 2002-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-527-6

    ↩1↩2

  10. Ohwi. G. Flora of Japan. (English translation) Smithsonian Institution 1965-00-00

    ↩

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