Practical
Plants

Orostachys japonica

Rock Pine

a biennial or perennial member of the Orostachys genus in the family Crassulaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
biennial, perennial
Height
0.12 m
Flower type
hermaphrodite

Uses

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 leaves and stems contain several medically active constituents including fatty acid esters and flavonoids[3]. They are antispasmodic and cytotoxic[3]. In Korea they are used in the treatment of cancer, gingivitis and metritis[3].

Product or use
Antispasmodic
Product or use
Cancer

Environment

Range
E. Asia - northern China, Japan, Korea.
Habitat
Surface of mountain rocks in Korea[3].Rocks on low mountains, along streams in China[2].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
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 in a greenhouse. Germination is usually free and rapid[1]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle and plant out in the summer. Consider giving some protection from the wet during winter.

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. However, judging by its native range, it is likely to succeed outdoors in most areas of the country. The plant is generally a biennial, flowering and then dying in its second year. However, it often produces offsets by which it perennates[3]. It also freely produces seed[1]. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Requires a position in full sun in a gritty well-drained soil[1].

References

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

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

    ↩

  3. Medicinal Plants in the Republic of Korea World Health Organisation, Manila 1998-00-00 ISBN 92 9061 120 0

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

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