Cardamine leucantha -

Family:	Cruciferae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	0.6
Synonyms:	Dentaria leucantha.
Range:	E. Asia - China, Japan.

Cardamine leucantha () is a Perennial which grows to a height of 0.6m . It has a hardness rating of 5.
Cardamine leucantha will flower in October to February. the seeds ripen from November to March
The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by Bees, flies, lepidoptera

Soil Information

Cardamine leucantha will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is not necessary for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
Cardamine leucantha prefers soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Cardamine leucantha can grow in semi or areas with no shade.

Wet places by ponds and streams, in mountains all over Japan[58].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• A bog garden plant

Cultivation Details

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 most parts of this country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Prefers a moist humus rich soil in shade or semi-shade[200] but succeeds in most soils that are not dry[1].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 2/5
Leaves - raw or cooked[105, 177]. The seedlings are edible[266]. Dried plants are used as a tea substitute[266].

• Leaves -
• Tea - the various herb teas that can be used in place of tea, plus the genuine article.

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 1/5
The rhizomes are used medicinally[266]. No further information is given.

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. Germination usually takes place within 1 - 3 weeks at 15°c[175]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in light shade in a greenhouse or cold frame for the first two years, planting them out when dormant in late summer. Division in early spring or after the plant dies down in the summer. Larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring.

Known Hazards

None known

Other Uses

None known

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

Flora of Japan. (English translation)
Ohwi. G.
Author: Ohwi. G.
Rating:
Publisher : The standard work. Brilliant, but not for the casual reader.
Date of Publication : 1965

Flora of China

Author:
Rating: http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
Publisher : On-line version of the Flora - an excellent resource giving basic info on habitat and some uses.
Date of Publication : 1994

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