Leopard Plant
Farfugium japonicum

Family: Asteraceae or Compositae

What it is like

Bloom Color: Yellow. Main Bloom Time: Early fall, Late summer. Form: Upright or erect.

Farfugium japonicum is an evergreen Perennial growing to 0.8 m (2ft 7in) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. It is in leaf all year, in flower from November to December. 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): 0.8

Where it is found

Rocky cliffs near sea shores. In the long grass of streamside meadows. Lower elevational forests, grassy slopes and valleys in China.

E. Asia - C. and S. Japan.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 1

Leaf stems - cooked. The leaf stems are boiled in water to remove a bitter taste, the outer peel is removed and they are then added to salads, soups etc.

Stem: this often intergrades into leaves.

Medicine

Rating: 1

The leaves are antidote. They are taken internally to treat fish poisoning and externally to treat lacquer poisoning. They are also applied to suppurating abscesses and pox.

Antidote: Counters poisoning.

Poultice: A moist, usually warm or hot, mass of plant material applied to the skin in the treatment of burns etc.

Other

Rating:

How it is grown

Landscape Uses:Border, Foundation, Massing, Specimen, Woodland garden. Prefers a deep moist fertile humus-rich soil. Requires a sheltered position. Plants often wilt on bright sunny days if they are growing in a sunny position. This species is not very hardy, tolerating temperatures down to between -5 to -10°c and succeeding outdoors in a woodland garden in the milder areas of Britain. A good plant for growing in a window. There is possibly some confusion, in the references quoted, between this species and Ligularia japonica. Special Features: Attractive foliage, Attracts butterflies.

Propagating it: Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse 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: Cultivated Beds;

Habit: Perennial

Hardiness: 6-10

Growth: Medium

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Ligularia kaempferi. (DC.)Sieb.&Zucc. L. tussilaginea. (Burm.)Makino. Senecio kaempferi. DC. Tuss