Ranzania japonica
Ranzania (Japanese: トガクシソウ) is a monotypic genus of perennial herbs in the family Berberidaceae, the only species is Ranzania japonica. It is native to woodlands in the mountains of Honshu, Japan. This genus is named in honor of Ono Ranzan, who has been called "the Japanese Linnaeus".[1] Fleshy stems of Ranzania form small colonies from an underground rhizome. Each stem bears two trifoliate compound leaves, and between the leaves is a single or more commonly a small cluster of drooping cup-shaped mauve flowers. These develop into an upright clusters of white berries. The haploid chromosome number is n=7.[2]
| Ranzania japonica | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Ranzania japonica | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Ranunculales |
| Family: | Berberidaceae |
| Genus: | Ranzania T.Ito |
| Species: | R. japonica |
| Binomial name | |
| Ranzania japonica T.Ito | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Podophyllum japonicum T. Itô ex Maxim. | |
Uses
It is occasionally used in shade gardens in the west.[3]
Taxonomy
The taxonomy of this plant has changed a fair amount. It was once places in family Ranzaniaceae Takht. and also combined into genus Podophyllum.
Close-up of flowers
Ranzania japonica growing in a shade garden.
References
- The Explorer's Garden by Daniel Hinkley , Timber Press, p. 119
- The Genus Epimedium and Other Herbaceous Berberidaceae.By William Thomas Stearn, Julian Shaw, Peter Shaw Green, Brian Mathew. Published by Timber Press, 2002 p. 34. ISBN 0-88192-543-8
- An Encyclopedia of Shade Perennials by Wolfram George Schmid p. 282 Timber Press
External links
- "Ranzania japonica". Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Agricultural Research Service (ARS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).