Cryptotaenia japonica - Mitsuba

Family:	Umbelliferae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	1
Width:	0.6
Synonyms:	C. canadense japonica.
Range:	E. Asia - China, Japan.

Cryptotaenia japonica (Mitsuba) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 1m and a width of 0.6m . It has a hardness rating of 5.
Mitsuba will flower in January to February. the seeds ripen from February to March
The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by Insects

Soil Information

Mitsuba 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
Mitsuba prefers moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Mitsuba can grow in full, semi shaded areas and areas with no shade.

Woodland in hills and mountains[52, 58].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Grows within a woodland garden
• Works within dappled Shade
• Grows in a shady edge
• Is suited to a deeply shaded location

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in most soils, preferring a moist shady position under trees where it often self-sows[52]. The leaves tend to turn yellow when plants are grown in full sun[206]. This species is not winter-hardy in all areas of Britain, though plants can tolerate short periods at temperatures down to -10°c[206]. Mitsuba is commonly cultivated as a vegetable in Japan, there are some named varieties[183]. It is usually grown as an annual[206]. It is closely allied to C. canadensis, and is considered to be no more than a synonym of that species by some botanists[200]. This plant is adored by slugs and snails and must be protected when small or when new growth is emerging in the spring[K].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 4/5
Leaves and stems - raw or cooked[2, 52, 116]. Used as a flavouring with a parsley-like flavour if you let your imagination run away with you[K]. Seedlings and young leaves can be used in salads[206]. When cooking, the leaves should not be cooked for more than a couple of minutes or the flavour is destroyed[206]. The leaves contain about 2.3% protein, 0.23% fat, 4.4% carbohydrate, 2.1% ash[179]. Root - raw or cooked[2, 52, 116, 183]. Blanched stem - a celery substitute[2, 116]. The seed is used as a seasoning.

• Condiment - the various plants that are used as flavourings, either as herbs, spices or condiments.
• Leaves -
• Root - includes bulbs, corms, tubers, rhizomes etc.
• Stem - this often intergrades into leaves.

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 1/5
Women's complaints. Used in the treatment of haemorrhages, colds, fevers etc[178].

• Febrifuge - Reduces fevers.
• Women's complaints - A very vague title, it deals with a miscellany of problems peculiar to the female sex.

Propagation

Seed - sow April in a greenhouse. Germination is usually rapid, prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out in early summer. The ideal temperature for sowing is about 25°c, though seed does germinate at higher and lower temperatures[206]. Seed can also be sown in early autumn[206]. Division in spring or autumn.

Known Hazards

None known

Other Uses

None known

Cultivars

'' - No entries have been made for this species as yet.

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 Japan

Author:
Rating: www.foj.info
Publisher : An on-line version of the flora - an excellent resource.
Date of Publication : 0

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