Laportea macrostachya

Physical Characteristics

Laportea macrostachya is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.8 m (2ft 7in). It is in flower from June to July, and the seeds ripen from August to September. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant). 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.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves Edible Uses: Young leaves - cooked[105, 116]. Very nutritious, they have a peculiar sweetness[116]. Some caution should be observed when harvesting this plant since the raw leaves have stinging hairs. It is perfectly safe to eat the leaves when they are cooked, however, since heat completely destroys the sting[K].

Medicinal Uses

None known

Known Hazards

The leaves have stinging hairs, much like stinging nettles to which they are related.