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Common Name: Leopard Plant

General Information

Farfugium japonicum is a Evergreen Perennial up to 0.75 metres tall.
It has edible and medicinal uses.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Asia - C. and S. Japan.

Habitat

Rocky cliffs near sea shores[, ]. In the long grass of streamside meadows[]. Lower elevational forests, grassy slopes and valleys in China[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Evergreen Perennial
Height	0.75 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Prefers a deep moist fertile humus-rich soil[]. Requires a sheltered position[]. Plants often wilt on bright sunny days if they are growing in a sunny position[].
This species is not very hardy, tolerating temperatures down to between -5 to -10°c[] and succeeding outdoors in a woodland garden in the milder areas of Britain[].
A good plant for growing in a window[].
There is possibly some confusion, in the references quoted, between this species and Ligularia japonica[].

Edible Uses

Leaf stems - cooked[, , ]. The leaf stems are boiled in water to remove a bitter taste, the outer peel is removed and they are then added to salads, soups etc[].

Medicinal

The leaves are antidote[]. They are taken internally to treat fish poisoning and externally to treat lacquer poisoning[]. They are also applied to suppurating abscesses and pox[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Division in spring.