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Common Name:

General Information

Cardiocrinum cordatum is a Bulb up to 1.80 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a food.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - Japan.

Habitat

Conifer, oak and bamboo woods in mountains in cool moist situations, especially in N. Japan[, ].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Bulb
Height	1.80 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Prefers a moist well-drained position in shade and a soil that is rich in leafmould[, ]. Requires a deep, very fertile humus-laden soil[]. Prefers growing in woodland conditions[, ].
The dormant plant is in general hardy to about -10°c but it comes into growth very early in the year, sometimes in February, and the young growth is susceptible to frost damage[, ].
A monocarpic plant, the bulb takes about 7 years to reach flowering size but then dies after flowering. However, it produces a number of new bulblets at the base and can be propagated by these[, ]. These bulblets take 3 - 5 years to flower[].
The flowers are sweetly scented[].
When planting, only just cover the bulb with leafmould[]. The bulb is very attractive to slugs, mice and voles and may require protection[].
Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[].

Edible Uses

An edible starch is obtained from the bulb[, , ].
Young leaves - cooked. This use will considerably weaken the plant and is not to be recommended in normal situations[, ].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame in the autumn. The plant has delayed epigeal germination and will often germinate in the spring but can take up to 2 years especially if the seed is stored prior to being sown[]. An alternative is to mix the seed with some moist leafmould and seal it in a plastic bag. Keep this at a temperature of 20°c for 3 weeks then pot up any seed that germinates and place the rest in a fridge for 4 - 5 weeks at 3 - 5°c before sowing in a warm place[]. Seedlings should be grown on in pots in a shaded position in a cold frame or greenhouse for 3 - 4 years before planting them out in their permanent positions[].
Bulblets are obtained from the base of the old plant after flowering. Pot up and plant out when well established.