Oenanthe javanica
Water Dropwort
a perennial member of the Oenanthe genus in the family Umbelliferae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Umbelliferae
- Genus
- Oenanthe
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Height
- 1 m
- Fertility
- Self fertile, Insects
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- 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.
Although no specific mention of toxicity has been seen for this species, it belongs to a genus that contains a number of very poisonous plants and so some caution is advised[K]. It is said to contain the alleged 'psychotroph' myristicine[10].
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Young leaves and stems - raw or cooked[7][11][13][1]. The leaves are also used as a seasoning in soups etc[5][6]. The flavour is reminiscent of carrots or parsley[9]. The young shoots that sprout from the root in winter are best[2][9]. A major vegetable in many parts of the Orient, the leaves are a rich source of vitamins and minerals (Analysis available)[10]. Root - cooked. Highly esteemed in Japan[2], the roots can grow up to 30cm long in water[6]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity. Seed is said to be edible[6].
- Product or use
- Condiment
- Plant part
- Leaves
- Plant part
- Root
- Plant part
- Seed
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 whole plant is depurative, febrifuge and styptic[3][4]. A decoction is used in the treatment of epidemic influenza, fever and discomfort, jaundice, haematuria and metrorrhagia[3]. The seed contains 3.5% essential oil. This is effective at large dilutions against pathogenic fungi[10].
- Product or use
- Depurative
- Product or use
- Febrifuge
- Product or use
- Styptic
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Spreading rapidly by means of suckers, it makes a good ground cover plant for wet situations. The variegated cultivar 'Flamingo' has been especially recommended[8].
- Product or use
- Essential
Ecology and functions
- Ecosystem niche
- Soil surface
Environment
- Range
- E. Asia - Japan, Korea to Australia.
- Habitat
- Ditches, ponds and wet places in lowland areas all over Japan[12].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- no shade
- Water
- aquatic
- Hardiness
- Zone 10+
- 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 - sow spring in a cold frame. Germination is erratic[9]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. Division in spring[9]. Large divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is better to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are well established before planting them out in late spring or early summer. Layering[8]. Stem tip cuttings[8]. Any part of the stem roots easily[9].
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Requires a wet fertile soil or shallow water and a sunny position[8]. This plant is quite possibly not hardy in Britain, [8] gives a hardiness zone of 10, which means that it is not frost tolerant. However [12] says that it grows in all areas of lowland Japan and this should include areas that do experience frosts and snow. Another report says that many forms of this species are not frost-hardy, though some forms have hardy roots[9]. There is also a lot of confusion over the correct name for this species. Some reports give O. stolonifera. DC. or O. stolonifera. Wall as the correct name whilst other reports say that these names are synonyms of O. javanica. [8] says that O. stolonifera japonica. (Miq.)Maxim. is a synonym of O. javanica. It is quite possible that both O. javanica and O. stolonifera are valid names and the uses listed here belong partly to each species. More research is required. This species is occasionally cultivated for its edible root[6] or for its edible leaves according to another report[5], there are some named varieties[6]. There are two main forms of this species, a red form has edible shoots whilst a white form is grown for its medicinal root[4]. In Japan this plant and six other herbs are customarily boiled in rice gruel on January 7th[6]. The cultivar 'Su Zhou' is medium early and has few fibres plus an excellent taste[6].
References
Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00
Brooklyn Botanic Garden Oriental Herbs and Vegetables, Vol 39 No. 2. Brooklyn Botanic Garden 1986-00-00
? A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press ISBN 0-914294-92-X
Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre
Reid. B. E. Famine Foods of the Chiu-Huang Pen-ts'ao. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre 1977-00-00
Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Larkcom J. Oriental Vegetables John Murray 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-4781-4
Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4
Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00
Ohwi. G. Flora of Japan. (English translation) Smithsonian Institution 1965-00-00
Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202