Orychophragmus violaceus
Orychophragmus violaceus
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Pl. 0FE1 — Orychophragmus violaceus
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IOverview
Overview
Orychophragmus violaceus, commonly known as purple sheep's-foot, is an annual or biennial plant native to China North-Central, China Southeast, Inner Mongolia, Korea, and Manchuria. It thrives in full sun and prefers moist conditions with light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay) soil. Hardy from zones 6-9, this plant reaches a height of about 0.3 meters. Known for its edible leaves, it is often cultivated for culinary use due to its mild flavor and tender texture. One distinctive feature of Orychophragmus violaceus is its purple coloration, which adds an ornamental value to the garden while also serving as a practical food source.
Quick answers
What is Orychophragmus violaceus?
Orychophragmus violaceus, commonly known as purple sheep's-foot, is an annual or biennial plant native to China North-Central, China Southeast, Inner Mongolia, Korea, and Manchuria. It thrives in full sun and prefers moist conditions with light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay) soil.
What is Orychophragmus violaceus used for?
Traditionally used for immune support, digestion. Each claim is evidence-rated — see Section II for full citations.
Best for
Top 2 evidence-ranked uses of Orychophragmus violaceus
Clinicaluses · safety · chemistry · dosagemedicinal profile
IIBenefits & evidence
2 claims · 0 sources
Benefits & evidence
2 claims · 0 sources- In traditional Chinese medicine, Orychophragmus violaceus is used to support the immune system and may be prepared as a tea or decoction.
The mechanism is not fully characterised but could involve compounds that modulate immune responses.
- Orychophragmus violaceus has been traditionally used in Chinese medicine for digestive issues, often prepared as a decoction to support gastrointestinal health.
The mechanism is not fully characterised but may involve compounds that interact with the gut's motility and secretion processes.
IV·bMixology suggestions
1 draft
Mixology suggestions
1 draftEditorial drafts. These pairings are AI-suggested from traditional herbal lore. Always verify with a qualified herbalist before brewing.
Orychophragmus violaceus support blend
generaltea
AI returned a direct ingredient list; normalized into one draft blend for editorial review.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
Orychophragmus violaceus thrives in full sun and prefers moist soil that can be light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay). It is hardy in zones 6-9 and grows to a height of about 0.3 meters. For cultivation, ensure the soil remains consistently moist but well-drained. This plant is an annual or biennial and its edible parts are the leaves.
Light
Full sun
Water
Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)
Hardiness
6-9
Life cycle
Annual, Biennial
Mature size
0.3 m tall
For first-time growers
How to grow Orychophragmus violaceus for the first time
8steps
Start with Skip as a simple annual plant, focusing on basic care and harvesting.
- 1
What you'll need
Seeds or seedlings, small pots if starting indoors, garden soil, water.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant in spring after the last frost, when temperatures are mild.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Use well-draining soil with a mix of light (sandy), medium, or heavy clay. Ensure containers have drainage holes.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Direct sow seeds 0.5 cm deep in the garden bed or start seedlings indoors and transplant them later.
- 5
First two weeks
Keep soil moist but not waterlogged, providing light shade if necessary to prevent leaf burn.
- 6
Ongoing care
Water regularly, especially during dry spells. Mulch around the plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune leaves as needed for maintenance; harvest young leaves for use in cooking.
- 8
Common mistakes
Overwatering, planting too deep, neglecting to mulch, not providing enough light.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:Leaves
Edible uses: The leaves of Orychophragmus violaceus are edible and can be eaten raw or cooked. They are often used in salads for their mild flavor or added to soups and stews for nutrition.
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
5 native · 2 introduced
Distribution
5 native · 2 introducedDistribution across1 continent· 5 native· 2 introduced
Asia3 regions
native (2)ChinaSouth Korea
introduced (1)Japan
Broader regions
introduced:Virginia
IXSpecimen gallery
1 image
Specimen gallery
1 imageXSee also
8 related
See also
8 relatedPlants you might compare or use together — scored by shared family, common use cases, and growing requirements.
shared use cases
Different families, similar therapeutic role — good for comparing.
XI
Explore further
Companion planting
Health goals
Compare with similar plants
Growing zone
XII
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