Practical
Plants

Isatis japonica

a biennial member of the Isatis genus in the family Brassicaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Isatis
Life cycle
biennial
Fertility
Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Material uses

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

A green dye is obtained from the leaves[4][5].

Product or use
Dye

Environment

Range
E. Asia - China, Siberia.
Habitat
Rocks, dry slopes, rock streams and sandy shores of rivers and seas[6].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

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

Seed - sow spring or autumn in situ[3]. If the seed is in short supply then it might be better to sow it in a cold frame in the spring. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle, and plant out in early summer.

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 could succeed outdoors in many parts of this country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Prefers a well-drained fertile soil in a sunny position[2][3]. Succeeds in ordinary garden soil[1].

References

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

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  2. Holtom. J. and Hylton. W. Complete Guide to Herbs. Rodale Press 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-87857-262-7

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

    ↩1↩2

  4. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

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

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  6. Komarov. V. L. Flora of the USSR. Israel Program for Scientific Translation 1968-00-00

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