Mitsuba, Japanese honewort
Cryptotaenia japonica

Family: Apiaceae or Umbelliferae

What it is like

Cryptotaenia japonica is an evergreen Perennial growing to 1 m (3ft 3in) by 0.6 m (2ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in leaf all year, in flower from July to August, and the seeds ripen from August to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. The plant is self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 1

Where it is found

Woodland in hills and mountains.

E. Asia - China, Japan.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 4

Leaves and stems - raw or cooked. Used as a flavouring with a parsley-like flavour if you let your imagination run away with you. Seedlings and young leaves can be used in salads. When cooking, the leaves should not be cooked for more than a couple of minutes or the flavour is destroyed. The leaves contain about 2.3% protein, 0.23% fat, 4.4% carbohydrate, 2.1% ash. Root - raw or cooked. Blanched stem - a celery substitute. The seed is used as a seasoning.

Root: includes bulbs, corms, tubers, rhizomes etc.

Stem: this often intergrades into leaves.

Condiment: the various plants that are used as flavourings, either as herbs, spices or condiments.

Medicine

Rating: 1

Women's complaints. Used in the treatment of haemorrhages, colds, fevers etc. Used as a tonic for strengthening the body.

Febrifuge: Reduces fevers.

Tonic: Improves general health. Slower acting than a stimulant, it brings steady improvement.

Women's complaints: A very vague title, it deals with a miscellany of problems peculiar to the female sex.

Other

Rating:

Food Forest: Plants for Edible Forest Gardens and Food Forests.

How it is grown

Succeeds in most soils, preferring a moist shady position under trees where it often self-sows. The leaves tend to turn yellow when plants are grown in full sun. This species is not winter-hardy in all areas of Britain, though plants can tolerate short periods at temperatures down to -10°c. Mitsuba is commonly cultivated as a vegetable in Japan, there are some named varieties. It is usually grown as an annual. It is closely allied to C. canadensis, and is considered to be no more than a synonym of that species by some botanists. This plant is adored by slugs and snails and must be protected when small or when new growth is emerging in the spring. For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub etc. and size shown above) information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. The plant growth habit is a clumper with limited spread. The root pattern is flat with shallow roots forming a plate near the soil surface. The root pattern is a tap root similar to a carrot going directly down.

Propagating it: Seed - sow April in a greenhouse. Germination is usually rapid, prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out in early summer. The ideal temperature for sowing is about 25°c, though seed does germinate at higher and lower temperatures. Seed can also be sown in early autumn. Division in spring or autumn.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; not Deep Shade;

Habit: Perennial

Hardiness: 4-8

Growth:

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

Shade: Full shade, semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

C. canadense japonica.