Reineckia carnea
Family: Convallariaceae
What it is like
Reineckia carnea is an evergreen Perennial growing to 0.1 m (0ft 4in) by 0.3 m (1ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7. It is in leaf all year, in flower in April. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) or semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers moist soil.
Height (m): 0.1
Where it is found
Woods and foothills of C. and S. Japan. Dense forests, shady and moist slopes, hillsides along valleys at elevations of 100 - 3200 metres in China.
E. Asia - China, Japan.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 0
Medicine
Rating: 1
The root is appetizer, cardiotonic and vulnerary. Strengthens the memory.
Appetizer: Improves the appetite
Cardiotonic: A tonic for the heart.
Vulnerary: Promotes the healing of wounds.
Other
Rating: 3
A good ground cover for shady positions.
Ground cover: Ground Cover
How it is grown
Succeeds in most soils, preferring one that is rich in humus and a position in semi-shade. An attractive shade tolerant ground cover plant for neutral or acidic soils. Plants seldom flower well in areas such as Britain with cool summers, they need warm dry conditions in late summer in order to ripen well and initiate flower production.
Propagating it: Seed - we have no information on this species but suggest sowing the seed as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame if this is possible. Stored seed is likely to be slow to germinate and might take a year or more. Sow it in a cold frame as soon as it is received. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Divide in early spring.
Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; not Deep Shade; Ground Cover;
Habit: Perennial
Hardiness: 6-9
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: Full shade, semi-shade
Moisture: Moist