Podocarpum Podocarpium (Podocarpium podocarpum japonicum)

Family: Fabaceae or Leguminosae | Edibility: Edible (2/5)

Podocarpium podocarpum japonicum is a PERENNIAL growing to 1.2 m (4ft). It is in flower from August to September, and the seeds ripen from September to November. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. It can fix Nitrogen. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Nuts/Seeds

Harvest Seasons: Fall, Late Summer

Flavor & Culinary Uses

Seed - cooked. Ground into a powder or steamed. — Ground into a powder or steamed.

Habitat & North American Range

Woods and thickets throughout Japan. Oak groves and shrubby thickets, gravelly soils of mountain slopes. (Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8)