Practical
Plants

Coptis japonica

a perennial evergreen member of the Coptis genus in the family Ranunculaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Coptis
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Height
0.22 m
Spread
0.5 m
Flower type
hermaphrodite

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 specific mention of toxicity has been found for this species, it belongs to a family that contains many species that are mildly toxic and so it is wise to treat this plant with some caution.

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 root is a pungent, very bitter, cooling herb that controls bacterial and viral infections, relaxes spasms, lowers fevers and stimulates the circulation[5]. It is locally analgesic and anaesthetic[5] and is also anti-inflammatory and stomachic. It is used in the treatment of intestinal catarrh[6][8][3], dysentery, enteritis, high fevers, inflamed mouth and tongue, conjunctivitis etc[5]. The root is harvested in the autumn and can be used fresh or dried[5].

Product or use
Antibacterial
Product or use
Antiinflammatory
Product or use
Stomachic

Material uses

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

Can be grown as a ground cover plant in the peat garden[4].

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Soil surface

Ground cover

Environment

Range
E. Asia - Japan.
Habitat
Woods in mountains all over Japan[7].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 7+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

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

Seed - best sown in a greenhouse as soon as it is ripe in an ericaceous compost[2]. Seal the pot in a polythene bag until germination takes place, which is usually within 1 - 6 months at 10°c[2]. Stored seed should be sown as early in the year as possible. Four weeks cold stratification may be beneficial[2]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow on in a shady part of the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out in mid-autumn or in spring. Division in spring[4].

Cultivation

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

Requires a light moist humus-rich slightly acidic soil with a northerly aspect or light shade[1][4].

References

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

    ↩

  2. Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 4. Thompson and Morgan. 1990-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  3. Kariyone. T. Atlas of Medicinal Plants.

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

  5. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  6. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩

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

    ↩

  8. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩

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