Plant Details

Cryptotaenia japonica

Japanese parsley

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Explore the size, hardiness, soil, light, edible uses and harvest period of Cryptotaenia japonica.

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Common names

15 names · 10 languages
EnglishYour language
  • Japanese honewort[1]
  • Japanese parsley[1]
  • mitsuba[1]
+2 more namesShow fewer names
  • Purple Mitsuba[1]
  • purple-leaved japanese parsley[1]
Other languages (9)
Dutch
  • Japanse peterselie
  • Witte kervel
French
  • Mitsuba
Chinese (Simplified)
Chinese (Traditional)
Finnish
  • japaninyrttiputki[1]
Japanese
Korean
  • 파드득나물[1]
Russian
  • Скрытница японская[1]
Slovak
  • petržlenovka japonská[1]
Sources & name notes (1)

Names recorded in our plant catalogue and botanical sources, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

Numbered references identify names recorded by an external source. Other names are from our plant catalogue.

[1] Cryptotaenia japonica — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy; common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • ミツバ — results[0].names[1]; taxon id 496962; Cryptotaenia japonica.
  • Japanese honewort — results[0].names[2]; taxon id 496962; Cryptotaenia japonica.
  • 파드득나물 — results[0].names[3]; taxon id 496962; Cryptotaenia japonica.
  • 鴨兒芹 — results[0].names[4]; taxon id 496962; Cryptotaenia japonica.
  • 鸭儿芹 — results[0].names[5]; taxon id 496962; Cryptotaenia japonica.
  • Скрытница японская — results[0].names[6]; taxon id 496962; Cryptotaenia japonica.
  • japaninyrttiputki — results[0].names[7]; taxon id 496962; Cryptotaenia japonica.
  • mitsuba — results[0].names[8]; taxon id 496962; Cryptotaenia japonica.
  • petržlenovka japonská — results[0].names[9]; taxon id 496962; Cryptotaenia japonica.
  • purple-leaved japanese parsley — results[0].names[10]; taxon id 496962; Cryptotaenia japonica.
  • Purple Mitsuba — results[0].names[11]; taxon id 496962; Cryptotaenia japonica.
  • japanese parsley — results[0].names[12]; taxon id 496962; Cryptotaenia japonica.

General information

Scientific name: Cryptotaenia japonica
Accepted name (Kew): Cryptotaenia japonica Hassk. View name reference ↗

Accepted in the cited Kew taxonomic treatment.

Sources [1] [2]
Botanical family: Apiaceae

Kew's family placement for the genus Cryptotaenia (WCVP v16).

Sources [1]
Also known as: Japanese parsley
Images: Google Images

Plant characteristics

Layer: Herbaceous
Catalogue size class: Small
Height: 1.00 m
Spread: 0.60 m
Growth rate: Moderate
Sources [3]
Foliage: None
Growth habit: Clumping, Erect, Prostrate

Whole-plant habit and form as described by NC State.

Sources [3]
Life cycle: Annual, Biennial, Perennial
Sources [3]

Growing conditions

USDA hardiness: 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b

USDA zones listed by NC State; winter survival does not establish reliable cropping.

Sources [3]
Soil moisture:
Moist

Moisture and drainage conditions listed by NC State.

Sources [3]
Soil:
Clay, Loam (Silt), Sand
Sources [3]
pH:
Acid (<6.0), Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Sources [3]
Light:
Dappled Sunlight, Deep shade, Partial Shade
Sources [3]

Uses

Edible parts:
Leaves, Root, Stems, Condiment
Edibility rating:
(4)
Medicinal rating:
(1)
Functions:
None

Description

The leaves and stems of this plant can be consumed both raw and cooked. They have a parsley-like flavor and can be used as a seasoning to create creative dishes. Seedlings and young leaves are suitable for salads. It is important not to cook the leaves for more than a few minutes to preserve their flavor. The leaves contain about 2.3% protein, 0.23% fat, 4.4% carbohydrates, and 2.1% ash. The root can be eaten both raw and cooked, and blanched stems can serve as a substitute for celery. The seeds are used as seasonings.

Harvest

Harvest starts: 01/05
Harvest ends: 30/09

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew World Checklist of Vascular Plants, version 16, extracted 4 June 2026
    Supports: Botanical familyTaxonomy
    Relevant sections
    • Botanical family: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 1365974; name ID 2746565; Cryptotaenia DC.. Family column.
    • Taxonomy: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 1365980; name ID 2746577; Cryptotaenia japonica Hassk..

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.

  2. Catalogue of Life Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20 — Cryptotaenia japonica

    Taxonomic data from World Plants, version 26.05, reproduced in Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20.

    Supports: Taxonomy
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: COL 2026-08-20, NameUsage.tsv line 2143, ID 322XL: Cryptotaenia japonica Hassk. (accepted).

    Source checked on .

  3. NC State Extension, North Carolina State University Cryptotaenia japonica — Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
    Supports: Growth rateGrowth habitLife cycleLightSoil moistureSoil textureSoil pHUSDA hardiness
    Relevant sections
    • Growth rate: Growth Rate
    • Growth habit: Habit/Form
    • Life cycle: Life Cycle
    • Light: Light
    • Soil moisture: Soil Drainage
    • Soil texture: Soil Texture
    • Soil pH: Soil pH
    • USDA hardiness: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone

    Source checked on .