Smilax nipponica
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Smilacaceae
- Genus
- Smilax
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Woodiness
- woody
- Height
- 2 m
- Fertility
- self sterile
- Flower type
- dioecious
Uses
Edible uses
Leaves and young shoots - raw or cooked and used like asparagus[2][4][5]. Fruit - raw or cooked and used in jellies etc[10]. Used when fully ripe[10]. Root - cooked. It can be dried, ground into a powder and then used with cereals for making bread etc[11]. It can also be used as a gelatine substitute[10].
- Plant part
- Fruit
- Product or use
- Gelatine
- Plant part
- Leaves
- 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.
The roots are antispasmodic and carminative. They stimulate the circulation[3]. A decoction is used in the treatment of amenorrhoea, arthritis, backache etc[3][7].
- Product or use
- Antispasmodic
- Product or use
- Carminative
Ecology and functions
- Ecosystem niche
- Climber
Environment
- Range
- E. Asia - Japan, Korea.
- Habitat
- Meadows and thickets in mountains, C. and S. Japan[9].
- 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
Seed - sow March in a warm greenhouse[1]. This note probably refers to the tropical members of the genus, seeds of plants from cooler areas seem to require a period of cold stratification, some species taking 2 or more years to germinate[K]. We sow the seed of temperate species in a cold frame as soon as we receive it, and would sow the seed as soon as it is ripe if we could obtain it then[K]. When the seedlings eventually germinate, prick them out into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first year, though we normally grow them on in pots for 2 years. Plant them out into their permanent positions in early summer. Division in early spring as new growth begins[8]. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found it best to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in a lightly shaded position in a cold frame, planting them out once they are well established in the summer. Cuttings of half-ripe shoots, July in a frame[8].
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. It is quite likely that this is the species referred to as S. herbacea nipponica in [10]. The edible uses listed below include those uses listed in [10] as applying to S. herbacea nipponica. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Succeeds in most soils in sun or semi-shade[6]. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00
? A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press ISBN 0-914294-92-X
Kariyone. T. Atlas of Medicinal Plants.
Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4
Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31
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
PFAFimport-621
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