Cuscuta japonica
Japanese Dodder
an annual member of the Cuscuta genus in the family Convolvulaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Convolvulaceae
- Genus
- Cuscuta
- Life cycle
- annual
- Height
- 1 m
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
Uses
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Young growth, boiled and seasoned[3].
- 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.
A sweet, pungent herb that acts mainly as a liver and kidney stimulant[6], the seed of Japanese dodder is aphrodisiac, demulcent, diaphoretic, enuresis, hepatic and tonic[1][2][4][5][6]. A decoction of the seed is used to treat a variety of complaints including diarrhoea, vaginal discharge, enuresis, backache, constipation and impotence[5]. The young shoots are used to treat sore eyes[5].
- Product or use
- Aphrodisiac
- Product or use
- Demulcent
- Product or use
- Diaphoretic
- Product or use
- Enuresis
- Product or use
- Hepatic
- Product or use
- Ophthalmic
- Product or use
- Tonic
Ecology and functions
- Ecosystem niche
- Climber
Environment
- Range
- E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea.
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 6+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in the autumn, by lodging it among the stems of a host plant[6].
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
This is a parasitic species that is devoid of leaves, roots or chlorophyll and so is totally dependant upon its host[6]. It must be grown next to the host plant, which it penetrates with suckers in order to obtain nutriment[6]. Plants are hardy to at least -15°c[6]. A climbing plant, supporting itself by twining around other plants[6].
References
? A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press ISBN 0-914294-92-X
Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles 1985-00-00
Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169
Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre
Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4
Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31
Flora of China 1994-00-00 http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
Ohwi. G. Flora of Japan. (English translation) Smithsonian Institution 1965-00-00