Cryptotaenia japonica
Hasskarl
Japanese parsley
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Summary
Source: WikipediaCryptotaenia japonica, commonly called mitsuba, Japanese wild parsley and Japanese honewort among other names, is a herbaceous perennial plant in the celery family native to Japan, Korea and China. The plant is edible and is commonly used as a garnish and root vegetable in Japan, and other Asian countries. It is sometimes considered a subspecies of Cryptotaenia canadensis as Cryptotaenia canadensis subsp. japonica.
Description
A perennial normally grown as an annual. It grows 1 m tall. The leaves have leaflets along the stalk. These are broader than C. canadensis. They are also more closely spaced. The leaves near the base and lower on the stalks have leaves with 3 leaflets. They are triangle shaped. The flowers are small and white in loose groups.
Edible Uses
Leaves and stems can be eaten raw or cooked, offering a parsley-like flavour that works well as a seasoning. Seedlings and young leaves make a useful addition to salads. When cooking leaves, limit them to no more than a couple of minutes or the flavour is lost. The leaves contain roughly 2.3% protein, 0.23% fat, 4.4% carbohydrate, and 2.1% ash. The root can be eaten raw or cooked, and blanched stems make a reasonable celery substitute. Seeds are used as a seasoning.
Traditional Uses
The leaves are boiled than eaten with oil and salt. The roots are cooked and eaten The seeds are used for seasoning. Young seedlings or sprouts are eaten. The leaves and leaf stalks are blanched and eaten raw in salads.
Medicinal Uses
Used to treat haemorrhages, colds, and fevers, and is considered a tonic for strengthening the body. It has applications for women's complaints and acts as a febrifuge.
Distribution
It is a temperate plant. It suits cooler places. It withstands frosts well. It can grow in shade. In China it grows in damp places between 200-2,400 m. It suits hardiness zones 4-10. Melbourne Botanical Gardens. In Sichuan and Yunnan.
Where It Grows
Asia, Australia, China, Hawaii, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, North America, Russia, SE Asia, Taiwan, Tasmania, USA,
Cultivation
Succeeds in most soils, preferring a moist shady position under trees where it often self-sows. The leaves tend to turn yellow when plants are grown in full sun. This species is not winter-hardy in all areas of Britain, though plants can tolerate short periods at temperatures down to -10°c. Mitsuba is commonly cultivated as a vegetable in Japan, there are some named varieties. It is usually grown as an annual. It is closely allied to C. canadensis, and is considered to be no more than a synonym of that species by some botanists. This plant is adored by slugs and snails and must be protected when small or when new growth is emerging in the spring.
Propagation
Sow seed in April in a greenhouse; germination is usually rapid. Prick seedlings into individual pots when large enough to handle and plant out in early summer. The ideal germination temperature is around 25°C, though seed will germinate at higher and lower temperatures. Seed can also be sown in early autumn. The plant can also be divided in spring or autumn.
Other Uses
No other uses are known. The plant is suited to food forest settings.
Production
Either the whole plant can be pulled out or leaves can be cut and allowed to grow again.
Other Information
It is a commercially cultivated vegetable. It is used as a vegetable in Japan.
Notes
Chemical composition: Protein = 2.3%. Fat = 0.23%. Carbohydrate = 4.4%. Ash = 2.1%. Contains a small amount of fragrant oil.
Nutrition
| Part | Moisture | kJ | kcal | Protein | Vit A | Vit C | Iron | Zinc |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leaves | 93.5 | 75 | 18 | 2 | 48 | — | 1.8 | — |
Synonyms
Also Known As
Honewort, Japanese honewort, Japanese cryptotaenia, Mitsuba, Padudugnamul, San ip, San ye qin, Trefoil, Yajiuban
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