Leontopodium discolor

Taxobox


image_caption =
status = EN
status_system = iucn3.1
status_text = #Status on Japanese red list
regnum = Plantae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Magnoliopsida
ordo = Asterales
familia = Asteraceae
tribus = Gnaphalieae
genus = Leontopodium
species = L. discolor
binomial = Leontopodium discolor
binomial_authority = Beauverd.

Leontopodium discolor, known as "Ezo-usuyuki-sō" or "Rebun-usuyuki-sō" in Japan, is a species of Edelweiss native to alpine areas of Hokkaidō.cite book|title=Wild Flowers of Hokkaido|publisher=Hokkaido University Press|location=Sapporo|date=1993-04-25|edition=First edition|pages=71|isbn=4-8329-1013-2|language=Japanese]

Description

Leontopodium discolor is a perennial with white flowers that grows 15–30 cm in height. It is a hermaphrodite.

tatus on Japanese red list

The plant is in the endangered category on the red list of threatened plants of Japan. [http://www.biodic.go.jp/english/rdb/red_plants.csv Red List of Threatened Plants of Japan] , CSV file, last access 2008-07-23.]

Taxonomy

Leontopodium discolor is synonymous with Leontopodium coreanum - Nakai.

Distribution

Leontopodium discolor can be found in East Asia, Southeast China, Japan, and Korea.cite web|url=http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Leontopodium+discolor|title=Leontopodium discolor - Beauverd.|date=2008|work=Database of Edible, Medicinal, and Useful Plants for a Healthier World|publisher=Plants for a Future|language=English|accessdate=2008-07-23]

Ecology

Leontopodium discolor is found in alpine environments in moist stony soils and scree. Insects pollinate its flowers. The flowers bloom from July to September.

Cultivation

Leontopodium discolor requires full sun. The soil must be moist, well-drained, and gritty. The soil can be alkaline or circumneutral as long as it is not too fertile. The plant is hardy to zone 6. In places with wet winters, it is susceptible to root rot and should be protected with a collar of grit and sheltered from the prevailing winds.

Propagation

The seeds should just be covered. The seeds are best sown as soon as they are ripe in a cold frame. Seedlings can be transfered to pots when they are big enough to handle. Plant Leontopodium discolor after the last frost in late spring or early summer.

Uses

Medicine

No known uses.

Food

The young leaves can be eaten when cooked. Plants For A Future assigns an edibility rating of 1.

References

External links

[http://www.ipni.org/ipni/idPlantNameSearch.do?id=229587-1 Asteraceae Leontopodium discolor Beauverd] on the International Plant Names Index