Coptis japonica -

Family:	Ranunculaceae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	0.22
Width:	0.5
Synonyms:	C. anemonaefolia. Sieb.&Zucc. C. orientalis. Thalictrum japonicum.
Range:	E. Asia - Japan.

Coptis japonica () is a Perennial which grows to a height of 0.22m and a width of 0.5m . It has a hardness rating of 7.
Coptis japonica will flower in November. The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by

Soil Information

Coptis japonica 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
Coptis japonica prefers moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Coptis japonica can grow in semi or areas with no shade.

Woods in mountains all over Japan[58].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Grows within a woodland garden
• Works within dappled Shade
• Grows in a shady edge
• Can spread to cover ground and will out compete weeds

Cultivation Details

Requires a light moist humus-rich slightly acidic soil with a northerly aspect or light shade[1, 200].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 0/5
None known

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 2/5
The root is a pungent, very bitter, cooling herb that controls bacterial and viral infections, relaxes spasms, lowers fevers and stimulates the circulation[238]. It is locally analgesic and anaesthetic[238] and is also anti-inflammatory and stomachic. It is used in the treatment of intestinal catarrh[4, 61, 174], dysentery, enteritis, high fevers, inflamed mouth and tongue, conjunctivitis etc[238]. The root is harvested in the autumn and can be used fresh or dried[238].

• Antibacterial - Kills bacteria.
• Antiinflammatory - Reduces inflammation of joints, injuries etc.
• Stomachic - Aids and improves the action of the stomach.

Propagation

Seed - best sown in a greenhouse as soon as it is ripe in an ericaceous compost[164]. Seal the pot in a polythene bag until germination takes place, which is usually within 1 - 6 months at 10°c[164]. Stored seed should be sown as early in the year as possible. Four weeks cold stratification may be beneficial[164]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow on in a shady part of the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out in mid-autumn or in spring. Division in spring[200].

Known Hazards

Although no specific mention of toxicity has been found for this species, it belongs to a family that contains many species that are mildly toxic and so it is wise to treat this plant with some caution.

Other Uses

Can be grown as a ground cover plant in the peat garden[200].

• Ground cover - Usually low growing plants that can be grown with other plants, especially shrubs and trees, to prevent the growth of weeds.

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

The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Huxley. A.
Author: Huxley. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
Date of Publication : 1992

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