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Of the commonly available species, Japanese native P. ternata appears to be the one most used in herbal preparations. It's also the one you want to avoid planting in your garden because it has major plans for world domination, accomplished via spreading rhizomes and dropping leaf bulbils all over the map. One source said it's theoretically capable of doubling its population in a year. It's naturalized in California, Connecticut, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Maryland, where it has made the Maryland list of invasive exotic plants.
It will grow in sun or part shade; while preferring rich, moist soil, it will grow in woodlands, forests, on grassy banks and in fields. P. ternata, whose common name is crowdipper, has more botanical synonyms than I found for any of the other species:
While it is offered by assorted nurseries (who ought to know better), do not turn this one loose in your garden; save your money for the better species. Pinellia Pedatisecta Of the three species I grow, P. pedatisecta, from northern and western China and Japan, is the most vigorous. It loves the bed of rotted woodchips it's in and reproduces speedily via seed. In the soft medium, it's very easy to scoop out unwanted plants. I've put a couple in less salubrious soil to see what they do there...so far it's curbed their enthusiasm a bit. While I enjoy this species in my woodland garden, I would not recommend it for the small garden unless a watchful eye is kept on it. The pedate leaves with seven to eleven lanceolate leaflets are quite decorative, providing good textural contrast.
This is the tallest of the Pinellia species, reaching nearly fifteen inches in height (35 cm). The central leaflet is always the longest and can reach about four inches (10 cm) in length.
New inflorescences are formed continuously during the growing season. Each quite capable of producing a viable seed, which is why this species is an enthusiastic spreader when in a happy location.
The copyright of the article Wild, Wonderful Aroids - Part 5 - Pinellia - Page 2 in Shade Gardening is owned by . Permission to republish Wild, Wonderful Aroids - Part 5 - Pinellia - Page 2 in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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