Asian Madder
Rubia akane
Family: Rubiaceae
What it is like
Rubia akane is a PERENNIAL CLIMBER growing to 1 m (3ft 3in). The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers dry or moist soil.
Height (m): 1
Where it is found
Thickets and hedges in lowland and at low elevations in mountains, C. and S. Japan.
E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 1
Young leaves - boiled. Fruit. No more details are given.
Medicine
Rating: 2
The root contains a number of medically active constituents and is antitumour, emmenagogue and haemostatic. It is used in Korea to treat dysmenorrhoea, leukorrhoea and carbuncles.
Antitumor: Preventing, or effective against, tumors, it is used in the treatment of cancer. Probably synonymous with Cytotoxic.
Emmenagogue: Promotes or increases the menstrual flow. In early stages of pregnancy it can induce an abortion.
Haemostatic: Controls internal bleeding.
Other
Rating: 1
A red dye is obtained from the plant. The part of the plant that is used is not specified, but it is likely to be the root.
Dye: Plants that provide dyes.
How it is grown
We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors in many parts of the country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Prefers a loose moist leafy soil in some shade. Tolerates dry soils but quickly becomes scorched in full sun.
Propagating it: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. Stored seed can be very slow to germinate. Prick out the seedlings when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in light shade in the greenhouse for the first year. Plant them out into their permanent positions in early summer. Division in spring or at any time in the growing season if the divisions are kept well watered until established. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found it best to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in a lightly shaded position in a cold frame, planting them out once they are well established in the summer.
Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge;
Habit: Perennial Climber
Hardiness:
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: Semi-shade
Moisture: Dry, moist