Taraxacum japonicum
Koidz.
Kansai-Tanpopo
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(c) Mokimisato, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
iNaturalist· cc-by
(c) Eric Knight, some rights reserved (CC BY)
iNaturalist· cc-by
(c) Eric Knight, some rights reserved (CC BY)
Summary
Source: WikipediaTaraxacum japonicum is a species of dandelion that grows in Japan.
Description
A compact perennial growing to 20 cm tall, flowering from March to May. Hermaphroditic and self-fertile with insect pollination. Tolerates light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils with well-drained conditions. Grows in mildly acidic to basic soils. Suitable for semi-shade or full sun with preference for moist soil.
Edible Uses
Leaves can be eaten raw or cooked. The root is dried and roasted to make a coffee substitute. Flowers are also edible raw or cooked, and unopened buds can be used in fritters. The dried whole plant makes a tea, and the flowers alone brew a pleasant tea; leaves and roots are equally suitable for tea-making. Note that specific records for this species are limited beyond the leaf and root uses, and several further uses are inferred from closely related taxa.
Medicinal Uses
This plant is used as a cholagogue, diuretic, galactogogue, stomachic, and tonic, and is also applied to skin complaints.
Distribution
It is a temperate plant.
Where It Grows
Asia, Japan,
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. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Prefers a well-drained humus-rich soil in full sun or light shade. Many species in this genus produce their seed apomictically. This is an asexual method of seed production where each seed is genetically identical to the parent plant. Occasionally seed is produced sexually, the resulting seedlings are somewhat different to the parent plants and if these plants are sufficiently distinct from the parents and then produce apomictic seedlings these seedlings are, in theory at least, a new species.
Propagation
Sow seed in spring in a cold frame, either surface-sowing or covering only very lightly; keep the compost consistently moist. Germination typically occurs within two weeks. Prick seedlings into individual pots deep enough to accommodate the taproot, then plant out in early summer. The plant can also be propagated by division in early spring as growth resumes.
Other Uses
None known.
Notes
There are 50-60 Taraxacum species.
References (2)
- Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
- Yasukawa, K., Medicinal and Edible Plants as Cancer Preventive Agents. Drug Discovery Research in Pharmacognosy. p185 www.intechopen.com
