Practical
Plants

Ophiopogon japonicus

Snake's Beard

a perennial member of the Ophiopogon genus in the family Convallariaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.3 (unit unspecified)
Spread
1 (unit unspecified)
Flower type
hermaphrodite

Uses

Edible uses

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

Root[16]. A bitterness should be removed according to some reports[2][6] whilst another says that it is sweet and aromatic[7]. Mucilaginous[8][13]. The root contains about 1.6% protein, 0.5% fat, 80% carbohydrate, 2.3% ash[8].

Plant part
Root

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 root is antitussive, aphrodisiac, expectorant, pectoral, sedative, sialogogue, stomachic and tonic[3][4][5][13][14]. It is said to have anticancer activity[13]. It is used internally in the treatment of dry coughs, fevers, thirst, dry constipation, insomnia, anxiety and palpitations[14]. It is also frequently used in polyherbal treatments of diabetes mellitus[13]. The roots have an antibacterial action, inhibiting the growth of Staphylococcus, E. coli, Bacillus subtilis, B. typhi etc[5]. The roots are harvested in the spring and dried for later use[14]. The plant is antipyretic, antiscrofulatic, antitussive, emollient, expectorant and tonic[13]. Lowers blood pressure[5]. Nodules on the fibrous roots are used as a nutritive tonic in the treatment of TB[4].

Product or use
Antipyretic
Product or use
Antiscrophulatic
Product or use
Antitussive
Product or use
Aphrodisiac
Product or use
Cancer
Product or use
Emollient
Product or use
Expectorant
Product or use
Nutritive
Product or use
Pectoral
Product or use
Sedative
Product or use
Sialagogue
Product or use
Stomachic
Product or use
Tonic

Material uses

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

A good carpeting plant[1][11] that spreads quite freely[12], it is commonly planted as a ground cover or as a low-maintenance grass substitute[9][12]. It is particularly valuable for preventing soil erosion[11]. Plants should be spaced about 45cm apart each way[12].

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Soil surface

Ground cover

Earth stabiliser

Environment

Range
E. Asia - Japan.
Habitat
Damp ground[4] in shady places in lowland and foothills[15].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
aquatic
Hardiness
Zone 7+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Wind
No
Maritime
No
Pollution
No
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 a sandy compost in a cold frame[11]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the cold frame 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[10].

Seed Requires Scarification
No
Seed Requires Smokification
No
Seed Requires Stratification
No

Cultivation

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

Prefers a sandy soil[1]. Succeeds in any moderately fertile well-drained soil and also as a submerged aquatic plant, though it does not flower in such a situation[11]. Succeeds in a sunny position if the soil remains moist all year round, otherwise it should be grown in semi-shade[11]. Plants may require winter protection according to one report[1], whilst another says that they are hardy to about -20°c[11]. Plants only succeed outdoors in the milder areas of the country[12]. This species is cultivated as a medicinal plant in China[7].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 32202/01/01

    ↩1↩2↩3

  2. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 32202/01/01

    ↩

  3. ? A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press ISBN 0-914294-92-X

    ↩

  4. Kariyone. T. Atlas of Medicinal Plants.

    ↩1↩2↩3

  5. Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles 32202/01/01

    ↩1↩2↩3

  6. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 32202/01/01 ISBN 3874292169

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2

  8. Reid. B. E. Famine Foods of the Chiu-Huang Pen-ts'ao. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre 32202/01/01

    ↩1↩2

  9. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 32202/01/01 ISBN 0-330-30936-9

    ↩

  10. Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 32202/01/01 ISBN 0-86318-386-7

    ↩

  11. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 32202/01/01 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  12. Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons 32202/01/01 ISBN 0-460-12609-1

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  13. Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 32202/01/01 ISBN 0-917256-20-4

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  14. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 32202/01/01 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2↩3

  15. Ohwi. G. Flora of Japan. (English translation) Smithsonian Institution 32202/01/01

    ↩

  16. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 32202/01/01 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩

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