Apiaceae FAMILY

Oenanthe javanica

Edibility

3/5

Medicinal

2/5

Safety & Hazards

Although no specific mention of toxicity has been seen for this species, it belongs to a genus that contains a number of very poisonous plants and so some caution is advised[ K Title Plants for a Future Author Ken Fern Description Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips. ]. It is said to contain the alleged 'psychotroph' myristicine[ 218 Title Medicinal Plants of China Publication Author Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Publisher Reference Publications, Inc. Year 1985 ISBN 0-917256-20-4 Description Details of over 1,200 medicinal plants of China and brief details of their uses. Often includes an analysis, or at least a list of constituents. Heavy going if you are not into the subject. ].

Botanical Description

Oenanthe javanica is an erect, perennial plant growing from 10 - 150cm tall. The plant has creeping stolons by which it spreads vigorously, often forming large clumps[ 418 Title Ecocrop Publication Author Website http://ecocrop.fao.org/ecocrop/srv/en/home Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description Basic information on a wide range of useful plants, plus details of environmental needs where available. ]. The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and medicine. It is occasionally cultivated in many regions from the tropics to the warm temperate zone as a food and is sold in local markets. There are some named varieties[ 183 Title Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Publication Author Facciola. S. Publisher Kampong Publications Year 1990 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 Description Excellent. Contains a very wide range of conventional and unconventional food plants (including tropical) and where they can be obtained (mainly N. American nurseries but also research institutes and a lot of other nurseries from around the world. ].

Habitat & Origin

Origintemperate; tropical

Native RangeE. Asia - Mongolia, China, Japan, Korea, Indian subcontinent, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, New Guinea, N. Australia.

HabitatDitches, ponds and wet places in lowland areas all over Japan[ 58 Title Flora of Japan. (English translation) Publication Author Ohwi. G. Publisher Smithsonian Institution Year 1965 ISBN - Description The standard work. Brilliant, but not for the casual reader. ]. Marshlands, lakeshores, muddy stream banks and shallow water; at elevations from 600 - 3,000 metres in most parts of China[ 266 Title Flora of China Publication Author Website http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/ Publisher Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis. Year 1994 ISBN Description An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available. ].