Lysimachia clethroides
Duby.
Gooseneck Loosestrife, Gooseneck yellow loosestrife, Japanese Loosestrife, Shepherd's Crook
(c) James Gaither, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-ND)
(c) Phil Bendle, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Phil Bendle
(c) Lori A Owenby, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Lori A Owenby
What to Eat
Edible parts: Flowers, Fruit, Leaves, Shoots
Condiment. Leaves and young shoots - cooked and used as a vegetable. A famine food, they are only used when all else fails. They can also be used as a condiment. Fruits and flowers are said to be edible but no further details are given. The fruit is very small.
Where to Find It
E. Asia - China, Japan. Naturalized in Holland.
TEMPERATE ASIA: Russian Federation-Far East (Far East), China (Fujian Sheng, Guangdong Sheng, Guangxi Zhuangzu Zizhiqu, Guizhou Sheng, Hubei Sheng, Hunan Sheng, Jiangsu Sheng, Jiangxi Sheng, Liaoning Sheng, Sichuan Sheng, Yunnan Sheng, Zhejiang Sheng), Korea, Japan, Taiwan
How to Identify
Lysimachia clethroides is a PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in) by 1 m (3ft 3in) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4. It is in flower from July to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. The plant is self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.
How to Grow
An easily grown plant, succeeding in a moist loamy soil. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Succeeds in sun or semi-shade. Hardy to about -25°c. Most species in this genus seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits. Succeeds in a woodland or semi-wild garden, it often spreads wildly.
Propagation: Seed - sow autumn in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. Division in spring or autumn. Larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring.
