Practical
Plants

Veratrum maackii parviflorum

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Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.6 m
Fertility
Bees, Flies, Lepidoptera
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees, Flies, Lepidoptera

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

All parts of the plant are highly poisonous[1].

Edible uses

According to one report the whole plant is edible[2]. This report should be viewed with extreme scepticism, the plant is likely to be very poisonous[K].

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.

The root is emetic, expectorant and vermifuge[7]. It is used in Korea in the treatment of mucosal irritation, nausea and vomiting[10]. The whole plant is analgesic[7].

Product or use
Analgesic
Product or use
Emetic
Product or use
Expectorant
Product or use
Vermifuge

Material uses

The dried and powdered root is used as an insecticide and a parasiticide[3]. It is also effective against caterpillars and mammals so great caution is advised[1][4][5].

Product or use
Insecticide

Environment

Range
E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea.
Habitat
Mountain woods of C. and N. Japan[12]. Mountain forests and alpine meadows at elevations of 400 - 1700 metres in northern China.
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

Unless stored in damp sand at around 4°c the seed has a short viability[6]. Where possible it is best to sow the seed in a lightly shaded position in the greenhouse as soon as it is ripe[6]. Stored seed needs to be stratified but can be very slow to germinate. Germination can be erratic even for seed sown when it was fresh, it usually takes place within 3 - 12 months at 15°c but can be much longer[6]. The plant produces just one seedleaf in its first year, this forms an over-wintering bulb. It takes up to 10 years for the plant to reach maturity[6]. Sow the seed thinly so there is no need to thin or transplant them, and grow the seedlings on undisturbed in the pot for their first two years of growth. Apply a liquid feed at intervals through the growing season to ensure the plants do not become nutrient deficient. At the end of the second year plant out the dormant plants into individual pots and grow them on in light shade in the greenhouse for a further year or two before planting them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer. Division in March/April or in October. Establish the plants in pots in a shaded frame before planting them out[6]. Division is best carried out in the autumn because the plants come into growth very early in the spring[8]. Root cuttings, 6mm long with a bud, rooted in a sandy soil in a cold frame[6].

Cultivation

Requires a deep fertile moisture retentive humus-rich soil[6]. Succeeds in full sun if the soil does not dry out but prefers a position in semi-shade[6]. Dislikes dry soils[11]. Grows best in a cool woodland garden or a north facing border[11]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[8]. Plants are long-lived and can be left in the same position for years without attention[8].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩

  3. Schofield. J. J. Discovering Wild Plants - Alaska, W. Canada and the Northwest.

    ↩

  4. Stary. F. Poisonous Plants. Hamlyn 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-600-35666-3

    ↩

  5. Riotte. L. Companion Planting for Successful Gardening. Garden Way, Vermont, USA. 1978-00-00 ISBN 0-88266-064-0

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8

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

    ↩1↩2

  8. Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

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

    ↩

  11. Grey. C. H. Hardy Bulbs. Williams & Norgate. 1938-00-00

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩

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