Practical
Plants

Kerria japonica

Bachelor's Button

a perennial woody deciduous member of the Kerria genus in the family Rosaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Family
Rosaceae
Genus
Kerria
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Growth rate
moderate
Height
2 m
Spread
2 m
Fertility
Insects
Flower type
monoecious
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.

The leaves contain small quantities of hydrogen cyanide (prussic acid). In small quantities, hydrogen cyanide has been shown to stimulate respiration and improve digestion, it is also claimed to be of benefit in the treatment of cancer. In excess, however, it can cause respiratory failure and even death.

Edible uses

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

Young leaves - cooked[2][3]. The leaves contain a small amount (0.002%) of hydrogen cyanide and are also a rich source of vitamin C (200mg per 100g)[9]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity. Fruit[3]. No more details are given, but this report is somewhat suspect, the plant does not produce a fleshy fruit and the seed case certainly does not look edible[K]. The fruit is a dry, somewhat plump achene about 5mm in diameter[7].

Plant part
Fruit
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 decoction of the flowering shoots is used in the treatment of coughs and women's complaints[4][9].

Product or use
Women's complaints

Environment

Range
E. Asia - China, Japan. A rare garden escape in Britain.
Habitat
By rivers and on rocks in gorges in the mountains[6]. Thickets on mountain slopes at elevations of 200 - 3000 metres[10].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 4+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay, heavy 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 - we have no details on this species but suggest sowing the seed as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. Sow stored seed as soon as possible in a cold frame, it is likely to require a period of cold stratification. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the cold frame for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division of suckers, removed with care from established plants during the dormant season[7]. Larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring. Cuttings of young shoots. Young basal shoots in early summer work quite well. Harvest the shoots when they are about 10 - 15cm long with plenty of underground stem. Pot them up into individual pots and keep them in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer. Layering.

Cultivation

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

Succeeds in most aspects in any good loamy soil[1]. Succeeds in very poor soils[8]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Prefers a moist well-drained soil in a sunny position with shade from the midday sun[7]. Hardy to about -20°c[6]. Plants are moderately fast growing[8]. They sucker freely and can be invasive[8]. Some named forms have been developed for their ornamental value[5]. This species is notably resistant to honey fungus[7]. The flowers are said to be usually unisexual but we do not know if the plants are dioecious or monoecious.

References

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

    ↩

  2. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

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  3. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩

  5. Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2

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  6. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30258-2

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  8. Davis. B. Climbers and Wall Shrubs. Viking. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-670-82929-3

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩

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