Lithospermum erythrorhizon -

Family:	Boraginaceae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	0.7
Width:	0.3
Synonyms:
Range:	E. Asia - Eastern China, Japan and Korea.

Lithospermum erythrorhizon () is a Perennial which grows to a height of 0.7m and a width of 0.3m . It has a hardness rating of 6.
Lithospermum erythrorhizon will flower in December to March. the seeds ripen from January to March
The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by

Soil Information

Lithospermum erythrorhizon 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
Lithospermum erythrorhizon prefers moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Lithospermum erythrorhizon can grow in semi or areas with no shade.

Grassy slopes in mountains and hills all over Japan[58].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Grows within a woodland garden
• Grows on a sunny edge

Cultivation Details

Requires a warm sunny position in a moderately fertile well-drained soil[1, 200]. Prefers a neutral to alkaline soil and also succeeds in partial shade[238]. Plants are hardy to at least -15°c[238]. This species is cultivated in Japan[46] (as a dye plant?).

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 0/5
None known

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 3/5
All parts of the plant are antitumor, cardiotonic, contraceptive, depurative and febrifuge[147, 174, 176, 218, 238]. It is used internally in the treatment of irritant skin conditions, measles, chicken pox, boils, carbuncles, hepatitis and skin cancer[238]. Externally it is used to treat nappy rash, burns, cuts, wounds, abscesses, eczema and haemorrhoids[147, 174, 176, 218, 238]. The plant is an ingredient of commercial skin care creams[238]. The plants are harvested when in flower, the roots in the autumn[238]. They are dried for later use[238].

• Antitumor - Preventing, or effective against, tumors, it is used in the treatment of cancer. Probably synonymous with Cytotoxic.
• Contraceptive - Prevents fertilization occurring in females.
• Depurative - Eliminates toxins and purifies the system, especially the blood.
• Febrifuge - Reduces fevers.
• Salve - Soothes and heals damaged skin.

Propagation

Seed - sow spring or autumn in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings. Division in the autumn[238].

Known Hazards

None known

Other Uses

A purple dye is obtained from the root[46, 61, 218]. It is harvested in the spring[178]. It is much liked but the colour is fugitive and production costs high[174].

• Dye - Plants that provide dyes.

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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