The Hylodesmum podocarpum complex is extremely variable in the shape of the terminal leaflets, although the taxa resemble each other in having laxly flowered inflorescences, small flowers, nonclawed wings and keel petals, broadly subobovate small articles, and similar areas of distribution. The taxonomic ranks for these infraspecific taxa are somewhat confusing. Huang considers the complex to consist of one species, Podocarpium podocarpum, including four varieties, while Ohashi and Mill (loc. cit.) consider it to consist of Hylodesmum podocarpum and three subspecies, one of which contains a variety[].

Common Name:

General Information

Hylodesmum podocarpum is a herbaceous perennial plant with erect stems 50 - 110cm tall[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and sometimes as a food.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

E. Asia - Russian Far East, China, Japan, Korea, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines.

Habitat

Roadsides, grassy slopes, grasslands on high mountains, mountain slopes, forests, thickets, forest margins and ditches; at elevations from 100 - 2,100 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.80 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Hylodesmum podocarpum has a very wide range, from the cold temperate regions of northeast China to the tropical mountains of the Philippines.
Requires a well-drained soil and a sunny sheltered position[].
This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[].

Edible Uses

Seed - cooked. Ground into a powder or steamed[]. (this report is for ssp oxyphyllum)

Medicinal

The whole plant, including the root bark, is used for reducing fever and curing malaria, treating coughs and bleeding wounds[, ].

The whole plant is used medicinally for treating dysentery and rheumatism[]. (this report is for ssp fallax)

A tincture of the plant is used as a respiratory stimulant[]. A decoction of the plant is diaphoretic[]. (this report is for ssp oxyphyllum)

The plant has been shown to have antinociceptive, antiinflammatory and antipyretic activities[]

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a greenhouse. Scarify and pre-soak stored seed for 5 hours in warm water then sow early spring in a greenhouse. The seed usually germinates within 1 - 4 months at 25°c. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots once they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out in late spring or early summer and consider giving them some protection from frost in their first winter outdoors.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood with a heel, mid summer in a frame.
Division as the plant comes into growth in the spring. 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 spring.
Root cuttings in winter.