Eupatorium lindleyanum
Family: Asteraceae or Compositae
What it is like
Eupatorium lindleyanum is a PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7. It is in flower from September to October, and the seeds ripen from October to November. 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 and prefers well-drained soil. 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
Wet grassy places in lowland and low mountains all over Japan. Swamps or borders of water courses.
E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea, Manchuria.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 0
Medicine
Rating: 2
The whole plant is anthelmintic, antidote, antitussive, diuretic and restorative. It is used internally in the treatment of bronchitis and dysentery. Externally, it is applied to swellings and wounds and is also important in the treatment of women's complaints, especially before and after parturition. It is also used in the treatment of parasitic worms. The leaves and stems are harvested in the summer before the flower buds open, and are dried for later use.
Anthelmintic: Expels parasites from the gut.
Antidote: Counters poisoning.
Antitussive: Prevents or relieves coughing.
Diuretic: Acts on the kidneys, promoting the flow of urine.
Dysentery: Used in treating dysentery - an infection of the intestines that causes diarrhoea containing blood or mucus.
Restorative: Restores consciousness or normal physiological activity.
Women's complaints: A very vague title, it deals with a miscellany of problems peculiar to the female sex.
Other
Rating:
Used as a hair tonic. The leaves, added to a hair pomade, promote the growth of the hair.
Hair: Plants used as hair shampoos, tonics, to treat balding etc.
How it is grown
Requires a sunny position, succeeding in most well-drained but moisture retentive fertile soils. Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits. There are both diploid and polypoid forms of this species. Whilst the diploids reproduce sexually, the polyploids, which are widespread, produce their seeds without sexual fertilization.
Propagating it: Seed - sow spring in a cold frame and only just cover the seed. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out into their permanent positions in the summer. Division in spring or autumn. Very easy, the clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions.
Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Bog Garden;
Habit: Perennial
Hardiness: 6-9
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: Semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Moist