Carpesium divaricatum
Family: Asteraceae or Compositae
What it is like
Carpesium divaricatum is a PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in). It is in flower from August to October, and the seeds ripen from September to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. 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) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.
Height (m): 1
Where it is found
Cool, shady and damp waste places, roadsides and hillsides in China. Grassy fields in partial shade in forests in Japan.
E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea, Manchuria.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 1
Leaves - cooked.
Medicine
Rating: 2
The root, or the whole plant, is carminative, depurative, febrifuge and vermifuge. A decoction is used in the treatment of acute enteritis, abdominal pains, abscesses, poisonous snakebites and arthralgia. It is quite likely that it is the seeds that are used as a vermifuge - the book is rather vague but the seed of other members of this genus is vermicide.
Carminative: Reduces flatulence and expels gas from the intestines.
Depurative: Eliminates toxins and purifies the system, especially the blood.
Febrifuge: Reduces fevers.
Vermifuge: Expels and kills internal parasites.
Other
Rating:
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 this country. See the plants native habitat for ideas on its cultivation needs.
Propagating it: Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. Only just cover the seed and do not allow the compost to dry out. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a cold frame for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division in spring.
Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge;
Habit: Perennial
Hardiness:
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: Semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Moist