Rohdea

Rohdea japonica, illustration.

Rohdea japonica is the only species of the genus in the subfamily Rohdea Nolinoideae within the family of asparagus plants ( Asparagaceae ). It is native from East Asia and Southwest China to Japan. The genus name honors the botanist Rohdea Michael Rohde (1782-1812), from Bremen.

Description

Rohdea japonica is an evergreen, perennial herbaceous plant with rhizomes and fibrous roots. The in a basal rosette standing together leaves are broadly lanceolate, 15-50 cm long and 2.5 to 7 cm wide, with a pointed tip.

In compressed, 3-4 cm long, dense, aged men inflorescences flowers are summarized. The pale yellow flowers are 4-5 mm long and threefold. The red berries have a diameter of about 8 mm and sit in dense clusters along to several.

Use

Rohdea japonica is cultivated as an ornamental plant. In Chinese it is called wan nian qing and Omoto in Japanese.

Rohdea japonica is also used in traditional Chinese medicine, although the plant may be regarded as inedible and even as toxic.

Swell

• Description of Rohdea japonica in the Flora of China. (English )