Practical
Plants

Swertia japonica

an annual member of the Swertia genus in the family Gentianaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Swertia
Life cycle
annual
Height
0.2 m
Flower type
hermaphrodite

Uses

Edible uses

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

The leaves might be edible cooked as a potherb[2].

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 whole plant is bitter and stomachic[1]. It is used in the treatment of digestive disorders.

Product or use
Bitter
Product or use
Stomachic

Environment

Range
E. Asia - Japan.
Habitat
Sunny slopes and thickets in lowland and hills all over Japan[5].
Shade tolerance
partial shade
Water
high
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 - sow spring in temperatures not exceeding 10°c in a humus-rich medium[3]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them Tu in early summer.

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 this country. The plant is monocarpic, living for one to three years before flowering and dying after it flowers[5]. It is cultivated as a medicinal herb in China[4].It requires a symbiotic relationship with soil bacteria[1]. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Succeeds in a moist humus-rich soil in damp light woodlands, streamsides or the bog garden[3]. Grows best in areas with cool summers[3].

References

  1. Kariyone. T. Atlas of Medicinal Plants.

    ↩1↩2

  2. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

  4. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2

Edit this page