Plant Details

Petasites japonicus

Giant butterbur, Fuki, Sweet coltsfoot

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Explore the size, hardiness, soil, light, edible uses and harvest period of Petasites japonicus.

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General Information

Scientific name: Petasites japonicus
Also known as: Giant butterbur, Fuki, Sweet coltsfoot

Plant Properties

Layer: Herbaceous, Ground cover
Size: Small
Height: 0.60 m
Width: 1.50 m
Growth Rate: Fast
Leaf: None

Growth conditions

USDA Hardiness: 5-9
Soil Moisture:
Moist, Wet
Soil:
Sand (light) Loam (medium) Clay (heavy)
pH:
Acidic Neutral Alkaline
Light:
Shade, Partial shade, Full sun

Usage properties

Edible part:
Flowers, Stem
Edibility:
(3)
Medicinal:
(2)
Features:
Ground cover

Description

Petiole can be cooked and eaten like rhubarb. The stems can grow up to 1.2 meters long and are suitable for various cooking methods, such as boiling, pickling for winter soups, and preserving with miso. Another option is to boil the stems, then plunge them in cold water, peel them, and sauté for a wonderfully fragrant taste. Flower buds can be boiled or used as a seasoning. With a slightly bitter yet pleasant flavor, they are popular in Japan. The flower buds can be eaten while still green, with miso or cooked in soy sauce. The young flowering stems can also be boiled and eaten.

Harvest Data

Start Harvest: 01/03
End of Harvest: 30/04