Sagina maxima — Practical Plants

Taxonomy and growth

Family: Caryophyllaceae
Genus: Sagina
Life cycle: annual, biennial
Height: 0.2 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.

The whole plant is febrifuge, its use stimulates blood circulation^[1]. A decoction is used in the treatment of 'angry' boils, 'lacquer' sores (probably refers to rashes caused by the sap of Rhus species[K]), dental caries, snakebites, pterygium and traumatic injuries^[1].

Product or use: Febrifuge

Environment

Range: E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea.
Habitat: Near seashores, C. and N. Japan^[4]. Roadsides, hilly slopes and damp places by stream banks in China^[1].
Light: full sun
Shade tolerance: light shade
Water: moderate
Soil textures: sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH: acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerances: high wind, maritime exposure
Wind: Yes
Maritime: Yes
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil: No
Drought: intolerant

Propagation

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

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. One report says that it is no more than a synonym for S. japonica^[2]. It quite possible resists maritime exposure.

Sagina japonica
Agrostemma githagoCorncockle
Arenaria serpyllifoliaThyme-Leaf Sandwort
Cerastium arvenseField Mouse-Ear Chickweed

References

? A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press ISBN 0-914294-92-X
↩1 ↩2 ↩3
Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4
↩
Flora of China 1994-00-00 http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
- Flora of China
Ohwi. G. Flora of Japan. (English translation) Smithsonian Institution 1965-00-00
↩