Saururus chinensis -

Family:	Saururaceae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	1.2
Synonyms:	S. loureier.
Range:	E. Asia - China, Japan.

Saururus chinensis () is a Perennial which grows to a height of 1.2m . It has a hardness rating of 6.
Saururus chinensis will flower in February to March. The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by

Soil Information

Saururus chinensis 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
Saururus chinensis prefers soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Saururus chinensis can grow in semi or areas with no shade.

Low damp places by water[147].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Grows within a woodland garden
• Works within dappled Shade
• Grows in a shady edge
• Is a pond plant
• A bog garden plant

Cultivation Details

This is a plant for a boggy area of the garden, it is able to withstand temporary flooding[56]. It prefers a loamy soil[1] growing well in pond margins though it spreads vigorously[56]. It can succeed in damp sites in the woodland as well as in the bog garden[200]. Plants are fairly cold tolerant, but are best given a protective mulch in the winter[56].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 0/5
None known

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 2/5
Antiperiodic, parasiticide[61, 178]. The flowers are antimalarial, diuretic, eliminative, laxative and parasiticide[218]. The root is antimalarial, depurative, eliminative and parasiticide[218]. The whole plant is antiphlogistic, depurative, diuretic, febrifuge and refrigerant[147, 218]. A decoction is used in the treatment of oedema, nephritis-associated oedema, nutritional oedema, inflammatory conditions and calculus of the urinary system, rheumatoid arthritis, boils and abscesses, rashes and fungal infections of the skin[147]. The leaves are used as a poultice to clean abscesses and boils[147, 218].

• Antiperiodic - Counteracts recurring illnesses such as malaria.
• Antiphlogistic - Reduces inflammation.
• Depurative - Eliminates toxins and purifies the system, especially the blood.
• Diuretic - Acts on the kidneys, promoting the flow of urine.
• Febrifuge - Reduces fevers.
• Laxative - Stimulates bowel movements in a fairly gentle manner.
• Parasiticide - Treats external parasites such as ringworm This should perhaps be joined with Parasiticide in 'Other Uses'.
• Poultice - A moist, usually warm or hot, mass of plant material applied to the skin in the treatment of burns etc.

Propagation

Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe in early autumn. Sow stored seed in late winter or early spring. Keep the pots moist by standing them in shallow water[200]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out in the summer. Division in spring[1, 200]. The plants spread freely and division is possible at almost any time in the growing season. Divisions taken in mid to late summer should be overwintered in pots in a cold frame and then be planted out in late spring. Regular division maintains the vigour of the plant[200].

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 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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