User:Ybonnet/Helwingia japonica



Helwingia japonica,  hana-ikada (flowering rafts) or Japanese helwingia is a species of flowering plant that can be found in Helwingiaceae family. It is a dioecious shrub native to East Asia and it grows in wet and shady subtropical forest. It can be propagated by seed planting and semi-hardwood cutting.

Description
Helwingia japonica is a dioecious  shrub whose height varies between 1-2m (3.3 ft -6.6 ft) and may spread  1-1.5m (3.3 ft- 4.9 ft) with leaves of 6-12cm ( 2.4 inch- 4.7 inch) in length. The lateral and midvein are concave and leaves colors are green. Flowers grow  from the center of the leaf midribs taking the shape of a simple umbel inflorescence. In the male 3- 10 small green or purplish- green flowers grow but only 3- 5 open simultaneously. The female plants have 1- 3 flowers. Flowering takes place between April to May and fruiting is from August to September.

Reproduction
The Helwingia japonica  is a dioecy plant. This means that distinctive sexual function can be found in the male and female plants. In the male plant, the flowers have a small calyx with 3 - 5 stamens with one long pedicel. The female plant has a short pedicel and one pistil with 3-5 stigma branches. Its flowers contain no stamens but have an inferior ovary that has 3- 5 ovules. For reproduction to take place it requires pollination. The female plants flowers will then turn into fruits. The fruits are small black or red berries.

Habitat
The Helwingia japonica  plants are found in East Asia from places such as the Himalayas, Japan and China. They can be found in low mountains and hills in thick woods in moist soils  at elevations of  100 - 3400m (328 ft- 11155 ft).

Cultivation
They can be grown in places that are moist with good drainage, in partially shaded areas. It can tolerate temperatures as low as- 7°C. The plant requires low maintenance but to produce fruit it requires both male and female plants. Mature seed can be collected  from fruit be put to storage or sowed after being rinsed and left to dry. To propagate using semi-hardwood of 1-2 years old branches are cut around spring or autumn.

Uses
The plants are edibles. The  young leaves are used for culinary purposes such as  cooked with rice  or boiled. The flowers can also be eaten.

One source mention the use of the plant for medical purposes such to activate blood circulation remove blood stasis, urination pain and the use of the fruit for stomach ache relieve.