Girardinia diversifolia - (Link.)Friis.
(Link.)Friis.
Himalayan Nettle
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rain999777
gbif· cc-by-nc
鵂鶹永滄
gbif· cc-by-nc
鵂鶹永滄
Description
Girardinia diversifolia is a ANNUAL/PERENNIAL growing to 3 m (9ft 10in). It is in flower from September to October, and the seeds ripen from October to November. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). . Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.
Edible Uses
Young leaves and inflorescences - cooked as a green vegetable. Care should be exercised when harvesting the leaves because they have stinging hairs. However, these hairs are neutralized by heat and so the cooked leaves are perfectly safe to eat.
Medicinal Uses
Eczema Febrifuge MiscellanyA decoction of the roots and basal stems is mixed with wine and drunk as a cure for malignant boils. A decoction of the roots, mixed with Centella asiatica, is used to treat gastric troubles. The juice of the root is used to treat constipation. The fresh juice of the leaves is applied externally in the treatment of headaches and swollen joints. A decoction of the plant is used to treat fevers. The ashes of the plant are applied externally in the treatment of ringworm and eczema.
Known Hazards
This plant has very virulent stinging hairs.
Distribution
E. Asia - India to China and Malaysia.
Where It Grows
TEMPERATE ASIA: China (Gansu Sheng, Guizhou Sheng, Hebei Sheng, Henan Sheng (west), Hubei Sheng, Hunan Sheng (northwest), Jiangxi Sheng, Jilin Sheng, Liaoning Sheng, Nei Mongol Zizhiqu (east), Shaanxi Sheng (south), Sichuan Sheng, Xizang Zizhiqu (south), Yunnan Sheng, Zhejiang Sheng), Korea, Taiwan TROPICAL ASIA: Bhutan, India (Sikkim, Punjab), Sri Lanka, Nepal, Myanmar, Indonesia, Malaysia AFRICA: Madagascar
Cultivation
We have almost no information on this species and do not know if it can be grown outdoors in Britain. The species type, Girardinia diversifolia ssp diversifolia, is a perennial plant, but the ssp G. diversifolia suborbiculata is an annual. Since the plant can be grown as an annual there is a good chance of success in temperate climates especially if the plants are started early in a greenhouse. Plants can be dioecious or monoecious, though the annual form is generally monoecious.
Propagation
Seed - sow early spring in a greenhouse. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in May. If you have sufficient seed it might be worthwhile trying a sowing outdoors in situ in the middle of spring. Division of roots.
Other Uses
Fibre MiscellanyA fibre is obtained from the stem. It is fine and silky and is used for making coarse cloth, ropes and twine. Yields of fibre are around 600kg per hectare.
