Eupatorium japonicum
Thunb.
Pei Lan
wikimedia· cc-by
No machine-readable author provided. Koba-chan assumed (based on copyright claims). (via Wikimedia Commons)
iNaturalist· cc-by
(c) Elias Levy, some rights reserved (CC BY)
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) Mark Rosenstein, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Mark Rosenstein
Description
Eupatorium japonicum is a PERENNIAL growing to 2 m (6ft 7in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. 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 - cooked. Boiled and well seasoned. Root - cooked. It is sometimes eaten for food and is considered beneficial to the circulation.
Medicinal Uses
Anodyne Antibacterial Antidandruff Antiviral Carminative Diaphoretic Diuretic Nervine Vermifuge Women's complaints. The leaves and stems are anodyne, antibacterial, antiviral, carminative, diaphoretic, diuretic, nervine and vermifuge. They are taken internally in the treatment of indigestion, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, feverish colds etc. In excess the plant causes irritation to the stomach. The leaves and stems are harvested in the summer before the flower buds open, and are dried for later use. The plant contains the essential oil thymol. In large doses this can cause various health problems such as headaches, tinnitus, vertigo, inhibition of respiration and the circulation. Use with caution. The seed is prescribed in China for the '36 diseases of women'. The root is considered to be beneficial to the circulation and a restorative to women after parturition. It is harvested in the autumn and dried for later use. The herbage, soaked in oil, is applied to the hair as a treatment for dandruff.
Distribution
E. Asia - S. China, Japan.
Where It Grows
TEMPERATE ASIA: China (Anhui Sheng, Guangxi Zhuangzu Zizhiqu, Guizhou Sheng, Heilongjiang Sheng, Henan Sheng, Hubei Sheng, Hunan Sheng, Jiangsu Sheng, Jiangxi Sheng, Jilin Sheng, Liaoning Sheng, Shaanxi Sheng, Shandong Sheng, Shanxi Sheng, Sichuan Sheng, Yunnan Sheng, Zhejiang Sheng), Korea, Japan (Honshu, Kyushu, Shikoku) TROPICAL ASIA: Vietnam
Cultivation
Succeeds in ordinary well-drained but moisture retentive garden soil in sun or part shade. A very polymorphic species, it is closely related to E. cannabinum. This species is a member of natural moist grassland flora on river banks in the Kanto District of Japan. Due to urbanization of this area, the habitat is now restricted to a very small area, and the species is endangered. Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits.
Propagation
Seed - sow spring in a cold frame and only just cover the seed. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out into their permanent positions in the summer. Division in spring or autumn. Very easy, the clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions.
