Native species
47Species 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
25Species with documented medicinal applications. See individual plant profiles for evidence + safety.
Introduced naturalized + cultivated
3Non-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?
50 speciess — 47 native and 3 introduced. Of these, 50 are edible and 25 have medicinal uses.
What edible plants grow wild in Japan?
Common edible species include Polygonum weyrichii, Pygmy Water Lily, Pyrus acidula, Pyrus macrostipes, Pyrus prematura. See the Edible section above for the full list.
What medicinal plants grow in Japan?
25 medicinal plants catalogued for Japan, including Polygonum weyrichii, Red Leg, Rosebud Cherry, Russian Tarragon, Russian Wormwood.
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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