Native species
19Species naturally occurring in Japan — best adapted to local climate and soil.
Edible for food + foraging
50Plants with edible parts documented in Japan. Always identify positively before harvest.
Medicinal traditional + clinical
19Species with documented medicinal applications. See individual plant profiles for evidence + safety.
Introduced naturalized + cultivated
31Non-native species established in Japan. Some are valuable; some are invasive. Check each plant's notes.
Frequently asked
How many plants are documented in Japan?
178 speciess — 97 native and 81 introduced. Of these, 178 are edible and 74 have medicinal uses.
What edible plants grow wild in Japan?
Common edible species include Aletris spicata, Amaranthus campestris, Amaranthus polygamus, Amaranthus polystachyus, Amaranthus tenuifolius. See the Edible section above for the full list.
What medicinal plants grow in Japan?
74 medicinal plants catalogued for Japan, including Asiatic tearthumb, Black Mustard, Carex nubigena, Catmint, Chinese Artichoke.
How is "native" vs "introduced" determined?
Status comes from TDWG botanical regions via Trefle. Native = naturally occurring there; introduced = brought in by humans, sometimes invasive. Both can be useful, but native species are typically the best fit for local conditions.
Other asia
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