Mao Gen

Ranunculus japonicus

Physical Characteristics

Ranunculus japonicus is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.1 m (0ft 4in) by 0.3 m (1ft). It is in flower from May to July. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. 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.

Distribution

E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea.

Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves Edible Uses: Leaves - cooked[105]. The leaves contain a low level of toxicity that is not enough to be injurious[179].

Medicinal Uses

Antiperiodic Antitumor Decongestant Malaria Vermifuge The plant is decongestant and vermicide[147, 218]. It is used in the treatment of malaria[147, 218]. The plant contains antitumour compounds[218].

Known Hazards

The leaves are poisonous. The toxicity is of a low measure and the toxins can be destroyed by heat or by drying[4, 10, 13, 19, 62, 65]. Many if not all plants in this genus also have a strongly acrid juice that can cause blistering to the skin[65, 183].