Rohdea japonica is a species of plant native to Japan, China and Korea.[2][3][4][5] Common names include Nippon lily, sacred lily, and Japanese sacred lily.
| Rohdea japonica | |
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| Rohdea japonica 1806 illustration[1] | |
Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Asparagaceae |
| Subfamily: | Nolinoideae |
| Genus: | Rohdea |
| Species: | R. japonica
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| Binomial name | |
| Rohdea japonica | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
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It is a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial plant, with fibrous roots. The leaves are evergreen, broad lanceolate, 15–50 cm long and 2.5–7 cm broad, with an acute apex. The flowers are produced in a short, stout, dense spike 3–4 cm long, each flower pale yellowish, 4–5 mm long. The fruit is a red berry 8 mm diameter, produced in a tight cluster of several together.
Cultivation and uses
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It is cultivated as an ornamental plant. In Chinese it is called wan nian qing (simplified: 万年青; traditional: 萬年青; lit. "evergreen"), and for this reason has been used symbolically in visual culture (e.g. on Mao badges Archived 2014-08-13 at the Wayback Machine). In Japanese it is called omoto.
The plant is also used in traditional Chinese medicine, though it is generally regarded as inedible and possibly toxic.
References
edit- ^ Curtis's botanical magazine vol. 23 tabl. 898, http://www.botanicus.org/page/482623), John Sims (1749-1831)
- ^ a b Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
- ^ Tanaka, N. (2010). A taxonomic revision of the genus Rohdea (Asparagaceae). Makinoa , n.s., 9: 1-54.
- ^ Ohwi, J. (1984). Flora of Japan (in English): 1-1067. Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C.
- ^ Lee, W.T. (1996). Lineamenta Florae Koreae: 1-1688. Soul T'ukpyolsi: Ak'ademi Sojok.
External links
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Media related to Rohdea japonica at Wikimedia Commons
Data related to Rohdea japonica at Wikispecies- Flora of China: Rohdea japonica
- "Rohdea japonica". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture.
- Plants for a Future: Rohdea japonica
