West Indin Chickweed, Whitesnow
Drymaria cordata
Family: Caryophyllaceae
What it is like
Drymaria cordata is a ANNUAL/PERENNIAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft). It is in flower from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.
Height (m): 0.6
Where it is found
Lowland in C. Japan. The plant grows in tropical and sub-tropical India, but extends into the Himalayas up to elevations of 2100 metres.
E. Asia - Japan, India and extending to the Tropics.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 2
Tender young leaves and shoots - raw or cooked as a vegetable. The leaves are used as a salad for their cooling properties. Another report says that the herb is eaten raw or cooked as a stimulant.
Medicine
Rating: 2
The pounded leaf is applied to snake bites in China. The plant is appetizer, depurative, emollient, febrifuge, laxative and stimulant. The juice of the plant is used.
Antidote: Counters poisoning.
Appetizer: Improves the appetite
Depurative: Eliminates toxins and purifies the system, especially the blood.
Emollient: Softens the skin, causing warmth and moisture.
Febrifuge: Reduces fevers.
Laxative: Stimulates bowel movements in a fairly gentle manner.
Stimulant: Excites or quickens activity of the physiological processes. Faster acting than a tonic but differing from a narcotic in that it does not give a false sense of well-being.
Other
Rating:
How it is grown
Prefers a rather rich soil in full sun. We have very little information on this species and have some doubts about how hardy it is in this country. We assume that it is a perennial plant that can be grown in Britain as a frost-tender annual.
Propagating it: Seed - sow in situ in the spring. Germination usually takes place within 1 - 4 weeks at 20°c.
Best place to grow: Cultivated Beds;
Habit: Annual/Perennial
Hardiness: 0-0
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: No shade
Moisture: Moist