Stellaria nipponica

Ohwi.

CaryophyllaceaeLeavesPotential hazards — see below

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(c) Alpsdake, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)

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(c) Σ64, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)

What to Eat

Edible parts: Leaves

Young leaves can be eaten raw or cooked.

Known Hazards

Although no mention has been seen for this species, the leaves of some members of this genus contain saponins. Although toxic, these substances are very poorly absorbed by the body and so tend to pass through without causing harm. They are also broken down by thorough cooking. Saponins are found in many plants, including several that are often used for food, such as certain beans. It is advisable not to eat large quantities of food that contain saponins. Saponins are much more toxic to some creatures, such as fish, and hunting tribes have traditionally put large quantities of them in streams, lakes etc in order to stupefy or kill the fish.

Where to Find It

It is a temperate plant. In grows near rocks in mountains at about 1,800 m above sea level.

Asia, China, Japan,

Countries: United Arab Emirates, Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bahrain, Brunei, Bhutan, China, Georgia, Indonesia, Israel, India, Iraq, Iran, Jordan, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Cambodia, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Laos, Lebanon, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Mongolia, Maldives, Malaysia, Nepal, Oman, Philippines, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Syria, Thailand, Tajikistan, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Turkey, Taiwan, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Yemen

How to Identify

A herb. It keeps growing from year to year. The stems are tufted and 4 sided. They are 10-20 cm tall. The leaves are narrow and 2-3 cm long by 1-2 mm wide.

How to Grow

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy outdoors in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors at least in the milder parts of the country. See the plants native habitat for ideas on its cultivation needs.

Propagation: Sow seed in spring in a cold frame. Once seedlings are large enough to handle, prick them out into individual pots and plant out during summer.

Medicinal Uses

None known

Other Uses

None known

Wikipedia

Perennial reaching 20 cm in height. Flowers June to July with seeds ripening July to August. Hermaphrodite, insect-pollinated. Adapts to light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils with preference for well-drained conditions and mildly acidic to basic pH. Requires full sun and tolerates both dry and moist soils.

Notes

There are about 130 Stellaria species. They are mostly in temperate regions.

References (2)

Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
www.efloras.org Flora of China Vol 6