Rubia chinensis
Rubia chinensisfam. Rubiaceae
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Pl. A467 — Rubia chinensis
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IOverview
Overview
Rubia chinensis, commonly known as Amur madder, is a perennial plant native to regions including Amur, China North-Central, Japan, Khabarovsk, Korea, Manchuria, and Primorye. This hardy plant thrives in partial sun or shade, tolerating both dry and moist conditions, and prefers light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay) soil types. Standing at a modest height of 0.1 meters, Rubia chinensis is valued for its edible leaves, which can be used in various culinary applications. Its adaptability to different habitats makes it a versatile addition to gardens and landscapes within its native range.
Quick answers
What is Rubia chinensis?
Rubia chinensis, commonly known as Amur madder, is a perennial plant native to regions including Amur, China North-Central, Japan, Khabarovsk, Korea, Manchuria, and Primorye.
What is Rubia chinensis used for?
Traditionally used for topical & skin. Each claim is evidence-rated — see Section II for full citations.
Best for
Top 1 evidence-ranked use of Rubia chinensis
Clinicaluses · safety · chemistry · dosagemedicinal profile
IIBenefits & evidence
1 claim · 0 sources
Benefits & evidence
1 claim · 0 sources- Traditional-use note: Rubia chinensis appears in herbal sources around traditional skin-care routines, often as a topical preparation. PlantSage presents this as ethnobotanical context, not as medical advice.
Traditional context only. This reviewed claim keeps the original moderate confidence level, but avoids treatment, disease, dosage, or guaranteed-effect language.
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.
Rubia chinensis support blend
generaltea
AI returned a direct ingredient list; normalized into one draft blend for editorial review.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
Rubia chinensis thrives in partial sun to shade and prefers moist to dry conditions. It grows well in light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay) soil types. This perennial can reach a height of 0.1 meters and is propagated through seeds or cuttings. Hardy in temperate regions, it is native to areas including Amur, China North-Central, Japan, Khabarovsk, Korea, Manchuria, and Primorye. The edible parts are its leaves.
Light
Partial sun/shade
Water
Dry, Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)
Life cycle
Perennial
Mature size
0.1 m tall
For first-time growers
How to grow Rubia chinensis for the first time
8steps
Start with a simple, low-maintenance perennial that thrives in partial sun and various soil types.
- 1
What you'll need
Skip plant, garden gloves, small trowel.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant Skip in spring or early fall when temperatures are mild.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Choose a spot with partial sun to shade. Ensure the soil is well-draining but can be light, medium, or heavy.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Transplant Skip from containers directly into the garden once it has established roots.
- 5
First two weeks
Water sparingly to avoid waterlogging. Keep an eye out for pests and diseases.
- 6
Ongoing care
Provide light watering during dry spells but be careful not to overwater. Prune lightly in spring to encourage new growth.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune Skip in late winter before new growth starts to maintain its shape and size.
- 8
Common mistakes
Overwatering, planting in full sun, neglecting to prune regularly.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:Leaves
Edible uses: The leaves of Rubia chinensis are edible and can be consumed fresh or dried. They are typically used in salads when fresh or added to teas for flavor.
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
7 native · 0 introduced
Distribution
7 native · 0 introducedDistribution across1 continent· 7 native
Asia3 regions
native (3)ChinaJapanSouth Korea
Broader regions
native:Amur, Khabarovsk, Primorye
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 (Rubiaceae), common use cases, and growing requirements.
same family · Rubiaceae
Botanical relatives — often share phytochemistry + growing needs.
shared use cases
Different families, similar therapeutic role — good for comparing.
XI
Explore further
Companion planting
Compare with similar plants
XII
About this entry
- Last updated
- Citation
- How to cite this entry · Submit a correction
Back to the cataloguePlant id · a467ed4b-86a1-4c37-a715-ebd2023dfa9b
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