Orostachys japonica

Orostachys japonica (Japanese：爪蓮華、昭和、秀女）also known as rock pine is a species of flowering plant in the family Crassulaceae.[1] Native to East Asia. Its main habitat is on the surface of mountain rocks in Korea, Japan and China.[2][3]

Orostachys japonica
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Plantae
(unranked):
Angiosperms
(unranked):
Eudicots
(unranked):
Core eudicots
Order:
Saxifragales
Family:
Crassulaceae
Genus:
Orostachys
Species:
O. japonica
Binomial name
Orostachys japonica
Synonyms[1]

Cotyledon japonica Maxim.
Cotyledon polycephala Makino
Orostachys japonica f. polycephala (Makino) H.Ohba
Orostachys kanboensis Ohwi
Orostachys polycephala (Makino) H.Hara
Sedum japonicola Makino
Sedum polycephalum (Makino) Makino

Ecology

Orostachys japonica is a biennial/perennial plant growing to 10 centimetres (3.9 in). It is in flower from September to October. The flowers are hermaphrodite. The rosette leaves shape like a spatula.[3]

  • Suitable for: light sandy and loamy soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil.
  • Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic alkaline soils.

Because of its growing shape which resembles a pine tree's cone, and its habit of growing on mountain rocks, it is also called rock pine.[2] It grows well in a sunny or semi-shaded(light woodland) location with a well-drained and moist soil that is low in nutrients. Its flowers bloom from September to October. The flowers are white and each flower has 5 conical petals. The flower lacks a peduncle. Its calyx is divided into 5 parts. When the flowers bloom and produce seeds, it dries out.

Orostachys Japonica 1

Medicinal uses

The leaves and stems contain several medically active constituents including fatty acid esters, Friedelin and flavonoids.[2] They are antispasmodic and cytotoxic. It strengthens the immune system of our body to produce specialized antibodies, preventing some disease. It has anti-cancer effect, suppressing the propagation of cancer cells. For this reason, it uses in the treatment of tumor and other disease. In Korea, they are used in the treatment of cancer, gingivitis, coagulation and metritis.[2]

References
  1. "Orostachys japonica (Maxim.) A.Berger". Plants of the World Online. The Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. n.d. Retrieved August 22, 2020.
  2. Medicinal Plants In the Republic of Korea. Natural Products research institute (Seoul National University). p. 187.
  3. "Flora of China on-line". FOC Vol.8 241000249. Flora of China on-line. Archived from the original on 15 October 2013. Retrieved 8 October 2013.


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