Practical
Plants

Sagina japonica

an annual or biennial member of the Sagina genus in the family Caryophyllaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Sagina
Life cycle
annual, biennial
Height
0.2 m
Fertility
Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Edible uses

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

Leaves - cooked[4][1].

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.

The leaves are used in the treatment of alopecia, caries, nerves, jaundice, fevers, foul sores, skin diseases and vaginitis[2]. A decoction of the whole plant is used to treat boils, caries, dermatitis etc and as an antidote to varnish poisoning[2].

Product or use
Odontalgic
Product or use
Skin

Environment

Range
E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea.
Habitat
Lowland to mountains all over Japan[4]. Sandy riversides, uncultivated farmland, roadside grasslands, forests, streamsides and floodlands at elevations of 100 - 4000 metres[3].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
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 - we have no information for this species but suggest sowing the seed in a cold frame in the spring. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. If you have sufficient seed it might be worthwhile sowing some in situ in April.

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 should succeed outdoors in many parts of the country.

References

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

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩

  4. Ohwi. G. Flora of Japan. (English translation) Smithsonian Institution 1965-00-00

    ↩1↩2

Edit this page