Achyranthes japonica

(Miq.) Nakai

Amaranthaceae Edible: Leaves, Root - brewing 1,837 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Achyranthes japonica, commonly known as Oriental chaff flower or Japanese chaff flower, is a perennial member of the genus Achyranthes in the family Amaranthaceae. It can be discovered on the roadside and its main distribution is in Korea and Japan.

Description

A shrub or small tree. It grows 5 m tall. There are prickles along the stem. The leaves are twice divided and there are 8-18 pairs of pinnae. There are up to 50 pairs of pinnules on each pinnae. The flowers are yellow. They are in large clusters at the ends of branches. The pods are flattened.

Edible Uses

No edible uses are known for this plant.

Traditional Uses

The root is used for brewing.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

The root is used in Korea to treat oedema, rheumatism, and delayed menses, and is also used as a contraceptive and abortifacient. It contains triterpenoid saponins and has demonstrated analgesic, antiallergic, antiinflammatory, antispasmodic, diuretic, hypotensive, and uterine stimulant properties. The root also contains protocatechuic acid, which offers antioxidant effects and inhibits platelet aggregation.

Distribution

It is a temperate plant.

Where It Grows

Asia, Japan, Korea,

Propagation

Sow seed in a greenhouse in late spring. Germination should be fairly rapid. Prick out seedlings into individual pots of fairly rich soil once large enough to handle. It is advisable to overwinter the plant in the greenhouse during its first year, then transplant to its permanent position in late spring after the last expected frosts.

Other Uses

The seeds contain two insect-moulting hormones, which may have potential practical application as an insecticide.

Notes

There are 6 Achyranthes species. The grow in tropical and warm temperate regions.

Also Known As

Soemureup

References (6)

Altschul, S.V.R., 1973, Drugs and Foods from Little-known Plants. Notes in Harvard University Herbaria. Harvard Univ. Press. Massachusetts. no. 901
Bot. Mag. (Tokyo) 34:39. 1920 "iaponica"
Hwang, H., et al, 2013, A Study on the Flora of 15 Islands in the Western Sea of Jeollanamdo Province, Korea. Journal of Asia-Pacific Biodiversity Vol. 6, No. 2 281-310
Hwang, HS, et al, 2014, Distribution characteristics of plant in the Ungseokbong Mountain, Gyeongsangnam-do, Korea. Journal of Asia-Pacific Biodiversity. 7(2014) e164-e178
Kim, H. & Song, M., 2013, Ethnobotanical analysis for traditional knowledge of wild edible plants in North Jeolla Province (Korea). Genetic. Resour. Crop Evol. (2013) 60:1571-1585

Show all 6 references