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Ophiopogon japonicus
  • Snake's Beard

a perennial member of the Ophiopogon genus in the family Convallariaceae.

Ophiopogon japonicus2.jpg
Niche
  • Soil surface
    Soil surface
    Plants which grow close to or at soil level, not necessary providing a ground cover function.
Functions
  • Ground cover
    Ground cover
    There are no details available for this function.
  • Earth stabiliser
    Earth stabiliser
    There are no details available for this function.
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • light shade
    Light shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsaquatic
    Aquatic
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid, neutral, alkaline
    Unknown
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Loamy
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 7
    Zone 7
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Ophiopogon japonicus has 1 edible uses listed
Ophiopogon japonicus has 13 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Edible uses

Notes

Root[1]. A bitterness should be removed according to some reports[2][3] whilst another says that it is sweet and aromatic[4]. Mucilaginous[5][6]. The root contains about 1.6% protein, 0.5% fat, 80% carbohydrate, 2.3% ash[5].

Root

Unknown use

Material uses

A good carpeting plant[7][8] that spreads quite freely[9], it is commonly planted as a ground cover or as a low-maintenance grass substitute[10][9]. It is particularly valuable for preventing soil erosion[8]. Plants should be spaced about 45cm apart each way[9].
There are no material uses listed for Ophiopogon japonicus.

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

The root is antitussive, aphrodisiac, expectorant, pectoral, sedative, sialogogue, stomachic and tonic[11][12][13][6][14]. It is said to have anticancer activity[6]. It is used internally in the treatment of dry coughs, fevers, thirst, dry constipation, insomnia, anxiety and palpitations[14]. It is also frequently used in polyherbal treatments of diabetes mellitus[6]. The roots have an antibacterial action, inhibiting the growth of Staphylococcus, E. coli, Bacillus subtilis, B. typhi etc[13]. The roots are harvested in the spring and dried for later use[14].

The plant is antipyretic, antiscrofulatic, antitussive, emollient, expectorant and tonic[6].

Lowers blood pressure[13]. Nodules on the fibrous roots are used as a nutritive tonic in the treatment of TB[12].

Unknown part

Antipyretic
Antiscrophulatic
Antitussive
Aphrodisiac
Cancer
Emollient
Expectorant
Nutritive
Pectoral
Sedative
Sialagogue
Stomachic
Tonic

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Soil surface

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a sandy compost in a cold frame[8]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the cold frame for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division in spring[15].

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Ophiopogon japonicus. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Prefers a sandy soil[7]. Succeeds in any moderately fertile well-drained soil and also as a submerged aquatic plant, though it does not flower in such a situation[8]. Succeeds in a sunny position if the soil remains moist all year round, otherwise it should be grown in semi-shade[8].

Plants may require winter protection according to one report[7], whilst another says that they are hardy to about -20°c[8]. Plants only succeed outdoors in the milder areas of the country[9].

This species is cultivated as a medicinal plant in China[4].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Ophiopogon japonicus. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Ophiopogon japonicus.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Ophiopogon japonicus
Genus
Ophiopogon
Family
Convallariaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[1][2][3][4][5][6]
Medicinal uses
[11][12][13][6][14]
Material uses & Functions
[7][8][9][10]
Botanic
[16][8]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
  • Root (Unknown use)
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
  • Unknown part (Antipyretic)
  • Unknown part (Antiscrophulatic)
  • Unknown part (Antitussive)
  • Unknown part (Aphrodisiac)
  • Unknown part (Cancer)
  • Unknown part (Emollient)
  • Unknown part (Expectorant)
  • Unknown part (Nutritive)
  • Unknown part (Pectoral)
  • Unknown part (Sedative)
  • Unknown part (Sialagogue)
  • Unknown part (Stomachic)
  • Unknown part (Tonic)
Functions & Nature
Functions
Ground cover, Earth stabiliser
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
7
Heat Zone
?
Water
aquatic
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    Soil surface
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    ?
    Herbaceous or Woody
    ?
    Life Cycle
    perennial
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    0.3 x 1
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    ?
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    hermaphrodite










    Ground cover


    Earth stabiliser



    References

    1. ? 1.01.1 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (32202/01/01)
    2. ? 2.02.1 Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing (32202/01/01)
    3. ? 3.03.1 Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books ISBN 3874292169 (32202/01/01)
    4. ? 4.04.14.2 Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre ()
    5. ? 5.05.15.2 Reid. B. E. Famine Foods of the Chiu-Huang Pen-ts'ao. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre (32202/01/01)
    6. ? 6.06.16.26.36.46.56.6 Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. ISBN 0-917256-20-4 (32202/01/01)
    7. ? 7.07.17.27.3 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (32202/01/01)
    8. ? 8.08.18.28.38.48.58.68.7 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (32202/01/01)
    9. ? 9.09.19.29.39.4 Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons ISBN 0-460-12609-1 (32202/01/01)
    10. ? 10.010.1 Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books ISBN 0-330-30936-9 (32202/01/01)
    11. ? 11.011.1 ? A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press ISBN 0-914294-92-X ()
    12. ? 12.012.112.2 Kariyone. T. Atlas of Medicinal Plants. ()
    13. ? 13.013.113.213.3 Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles (32202/01/01)
    14. ? 14.014.114.214.3 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (32202/01/01)
    15. ? Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. ISBN 0-86318-386-7 (32202/01/01)
    16. ? Ohwi. G. Flora of Japan. (English translation) Smithsonian Institution (32202/01/01)




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