Common Name:

General Information

Laportea cuspidata is a herbaceous perennial plant growing from a tuberous rootstock; it produces a clump of stems that become slightly woody near the base, usually growing around 40 - 150cm tall[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and source of materials.

Known Hazards

The leaves have stinging hairs, much like stinging nettles (Urtica species) to which they are related[].

Botanical References

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Range

E. Asia -southern and southeastern China, Myanmar, Japan, Korea

Habitat

Woods in mountains, N. Japan[]. Forest margins, thickets, partly shady, moist places, roadsides; at elevations from 800 - 2,700 metres in China[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	1.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

We have very little information on this plant and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its habitat it should succeed outdoors in most parts of the country.
It should succeed in most soils in semi-shade.

Edible Uses

Young leaves - cooked[, ]. Very nutritious, they have a peculiar sweetness[]. 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[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

A fibre obtained from the stem is used for making nets, cordage etc[, , ]. It is up to 50 times stronger than cotton[].

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 their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Division in spring. 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 spring.