Stemona japonica Seeds | Radix Stemonae
LATIN NAME: Stemona japonica
COMMON NAME: Radix Stemonae
Plant Profile
Radix Stemonae (Stemona japonica) grows as a climbing herb in the stemona family. Stemona is climbing herb of old practice, and small, greenish flowers open along twining stems. It is a plant of open, sunny to partly shaded, deep, moist, well-drained ground. Few species give back so generously for so little effort.
Science & Biotechnology
Botanists studying the stemona family regularly include Stemona japonica in comparative work, and the species also appears in horticultural trials aimed at gardeners and growers. With present-day seed handling, raising this species well within the reach of any careful grower.
Uses & Benefits
Beyond its ornamental appeal, Radix Stemonae has the practical versatility that makes a plant worth growing from seed year after year. Stemona is a fine, historic plant of herb collection and study garden. Small, greenish flowers open along twining stems through late spring, and roots have a very long record in old practice of the warm East, dried into small bundles of old herb trade. It is a fine, historic plant of open, sunny to partly shaded, deep, moist, well-drained garden. Thereafter it wants only the ordinary attentions any garden plant receives.
Stemona root, Bai Bu, is a classical Chinese herb for stubborn coughs, including whooping cough, and a traditional wash for lice; its stemonine alkaloids are the researched actives.
Growing from Seed
Radix Stemonae is one of those generous plants that come along well from seed. Broadcast the seed thinly over a fine, free-draining compost, sieve a little more compost on top, and water with a fine rose. When the young plants are big enough to handle, space them into pots or a nursery row and let them size up before their final move.
Our Take
Radix Stemonae earns its space through character rather than fuss. Plant it in sun with drainage to its liking and the rest is easy.
Related Reading
Gardeners who grow Radix Stemonae often pair it with these related subjects: