Cuscuta Japonica Herb

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Now say that three times fast! Cuscuta japonica Herb

http://www.ibiblio.org/pfaf/cgi-bin/arr_html?Cuscuta+japonica

Physical Characteristics

Annual Climber growing to 1m. It is hardy to zone 6.

It is in flower from August to September. The flowers

are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs).

We rate it 1 out of 5 for usefulness.

The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and

heavy (clay) soils. The plant prefers acid, neutral

and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade

(light woodland) or no shade. It requires moist soil.

Habitats and Possible Locations

Woodland, Dappled Shade.

Edible Uses

Leaves.

Young growth, boiled and seasoned[177].

Medicinal Uses

Disclaimer

Aphrodisiac; Demulcent; Diaphoretic; Enuresis;

Hepatic; Ophthalmic; Tonic.

A sweet, pungent herb that acts mainly as a liver and

kidney stimulant[238], the seed of Japanese dodder is

aphrodisiac, demulcent, diaphoretic, enuresis, hepatic

and tonic[147, 176, 178, 218, 238]. A decoction of the

seed is used to treat a variety of complaints

including diarrhoea, vaginal discharge, enuresis,

backache, constipation and impotence[218].

The young shoots are used to treat sore eyes[218].

Other Uses

None known

Cultivation details

This is a parasitic species that is devoid of leaves,

roots or chlorophyll and so is totally dependant upon

its host[238]. It must be grown next to the host

plant, which it penetrates with suckers in order to

obtain nutriment[238].

Plants are hardy to at least -15°c[238].

A climbing plant, supporting itself by twining around

other plants[238].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in the autumn,

by lodging it among the stems of a host plant[238].

it's a noxious weed noted by US weed information

http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=CUJA

also:

http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Cuscuta+japonica

Cuscuta japonica - Choisy.

Japanese Dodder

Author Choisy. Botanical references 58, 266

Family Convolvulaceae Genus Cuscuta

Synonyms

Known Hazards None known

Range E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea.

Habitat Parasitic on shrub branches[147] in lowland

and low mountains all over Japan[58].

Edibility Rating 1 (1-5) Medicinal Rating 2 (1-5)

Physical Characteristics

Annual Climber growing to 1m.

It is hardy to zone 6. It is in flower from August to

September. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both

male and female organs)

The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and

heavy (clay) soils. The plant prefers acid, neutral

and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade

(light woodland) or no shade. It requires moist soil.

Habitats

Woodland Garden; Dappled Shade;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves.

Young growth, boiled and seasoned[177].

Medicinal Uses

Aphrodisiac; Demulcent; Diaphoretic; Enuresis;

Hepatic; Ophthalmic; Tonic.

A sweet, pungent herb that acts mainly as a liver and

kidney stimulant[238], the seed of Japanese dodder is

aphrodisiac, demulcent, diaphoretic, enuresis, hepatic

and tonic[147, 176, 178, 218, 238]. A decoction of the

seed is used to treat a variety of complaints

including diarrhoea, vaginal discharge, enuresis,

backache, constipation and impotence[218]. The young

shoots are used to treat sore eyes[218].

Other Uses

None known

Cultivation details

This is a parasitic species that is devoid of leaves,

roots or chlorophyll and so is totally dependant upon

its host[238]. It must be grown next to the host

plant, which it penetrates with suckers in order to

obtain nutriment[238]. Plants are hardy to at least

-15°c[238]. A climbing plant, supporting itself by

twining around other plants[238].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in the autumn,

by lodging it among the stems of a host plant[238].