Orostachys japonica
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: 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

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]

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 has anti-cancer effects in vitro. In Korea, they are used in the treatment of cancer, gingivitis, coagulation and metritis.[2]

References

  1. 1 2 "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. 1 2 3 4 Medicinal Plants In the Republic of Korea. Natural Products research institute (Seoul National University). p. 187.
  3. 1 2 "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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