Xu Duan (Dipsacus japonicus)

Family: Dipsacaceae | Edibility: Edible (1/5)

Dipsacus japonicus is a BIENNIAL/PERENNIAL growing to 0.8 m (2ft 6in). It is in flower from August to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Leaves

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Spring

Flavor & Culinary Uses

Young leaves - cooked. A famine food, used when all else fails. — Young leaves - cooked.; A famine food, used when all else fails.

Habitat & North American Range

Wild places and roadsides in China. Sunny places at elevations of 300 - 1500 metres in central and southern Japan. (Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8)