Eupatorium japonicum - Pei Lan

Family:	Compositae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	2
Synonyms:	E. japonicum. Thunb.
Range:	E. Asia - S. China, Japan.

Eupatorium japonicum (Pei Lan) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 2m . It has a hardness rating of 7.
The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by Insects

Soil Information

Pei Lan will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is / is important 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
Pei Lan prefers moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Pei Lan can grow in semi or areas with no shade.

Not known

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Grows within a woodland garden
• Grows on a sunny edge
• Works within dappled Shade

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in ordinary well-drained but moisture retentive garden soil in sun or part shade[200]. A very polymorphic species[58], it is closely related to E. cannabinum[1]. 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[275]. Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[233].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 1/5
Young leaves - cooked. Boiled and well seasoned[177]. Root - cooked. It is sometimes eaten for food and is considered beneficial to the circulation[218].

• Leaves -
• Root - includes bulbs, corms, tubers, rhizomes etc.

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 3/5
The leaves and stems are anodyne, antibacterial, antiviral, carminative, diaphoretic, diuretic, nervine and vermifuge[176, 218]. They are taken internally in the treatment of indigestion, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, feverish colds etc[147, 176, 238]. In excess the plant causes irritation to the stomach[238]. The leaves and stems are harvested in the summer before the flower buds open, and are dried for later use[238]. 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[176]. Use with caution[176]. The seed is prescribed in China for the '36 diseases of women'[218]. The root is considered to be beneficial to the circulation and a restorative to women after parturition[218]. It is harvested in the autumn and dried for later use[238]. The herbage, soaked in oil, is applied to the hair as a treatment for dandruff[218].

• Anodyne - Relieves pain, it is milder than an analgesic.
• Antibacterial - Kills bacteria.
• Antidandruff - Treats dandruff.
• Antiviral - Treats virus diseases
• Carminative - Reduces flatulence and expels gas from the intestines.
• Diaphoretic - Induces perspiration.
• Diuretic - Acts on the kidneys, promoting the flow of urine.
• Nervine - Stimulates and calms the nerves.
• Vermifuge - Expels and kills internal parasites.
• Women's complaints - A very vague title, it deals with a miscellany of problems peculiar to the female sex.

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[111]. Very easy, the clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions.

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

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

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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