Common Name:

General Information

Veronicastrum axillare is an evergreen perennial plant forming a cluster of slender, arching stems that root at the apex; it can grow 70 - 180cm tall[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Asia - southeast China, central and southern Japan

Habitat

Hillsides and gully edges[]. Forests, grasslands at forest margins, shaded places in valleys at low elevations[]. Edges of evergreen forests in lowland areas[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Evergreen Perennial
Height	1.20 m
Pollinators	Insects
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Veronicastrum axillare is native to the warm temperate and subtropical regions of southern China, growing mainly in hardiness zones 9 - 10.
Easily grown in a moderately fertile moisture retentive well drained soil[]. Prefers cool summers[]. Prefers a sunny position[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The whole plant is antiphlogistic and depurative[]. It stimulates blood circulation and tissue repair[]. A decoction is used internally to treat conditions such as epidemic mumps, ascites and pleural effusion[].
The plant can be crushed and applied externally, in the treatment of conditions such as infected boils, burns,etc; snake bites, traumatic injuries and rheumatoid arthralgia[, ].

A water extract of the plant has been shown to have an antiinflammatory action that significantly ameliorated the gastric mucosal lesions induced by ethanol[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - sow autumn in a cold frame[]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer.
Division in autumn or spring[]. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is best to pot up smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a greenhouse or cold frame until they are growing away well. Plant them out in the summer or the following spring.
The stems of this species arch, the apex touching the ground and rooting to form a new plant[].