Elatostema laetevirens
a perennial member of the Elatostema genus in the family Urticaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Urticaceae
- Genus
- Elatostema
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Height
- 0.3 m
- Flower type
- monoecious
Uses
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Young leaves - cooked[1].
- Plant part
- Leaves
Environment
- Range
- E. Asia - Japan.
- Habitat
- Woods in mountains all over Japan[2].
- Shade tolerance
- partial shade
- Water
- moderate
- 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 - we have no information on this species but suggest sowing the seed in a cold frame in the spring. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division in spring should be possible.
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
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 most parts of this country. It is likely to require woodland conditions.
References
Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169
Ohwi. G. Flora of Japan. (English translation) Smithsonian Institution 1965-00-00