Common Name: Dakiba-Hime-Azami

General Information

Cirsium amplexifolium is a herbaceous perennial plant growing from a stout rootstock with well-developed rhizomes. The plant produces a rosette of basal leaves and a stout, erect, well-branched stem that can grow around 120 - 200cm tall[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and source of materials.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

E. Asia - northern and central Japan (Honshu).

Habitat

Along temperate forest margins and in tall herbal stands; at elevations from 500 - 1,000 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	1.50 m
Pollinators	Bees, Flies, Lepidoptera, Beetles, Self
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Cirsium species are generally easily grown plants, succeeding in any ordinary garden soil in a sunny position[].

Edible Uses

Root - cooked[]. The root is likely to be rich in inulin, a starch that cannot be digested by humans. This starch thus passes straight through the digestive system and, in some people, ferments to produce flatulence[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The seed of all species of thistles yields a good oil by expression[]. No details of potential yields etc are given[].

Propagation

Seed - sow early spring or autumn in situ. Germination usually takes place within 2 - 8 weeks at 20°c.
Division in spring or autumn. Very easy, larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer or following spring.