Lysimachia sikokiana

Lysimachia sikokiana belongs to the primrose family, Primulaceae. It is a perennial, so it lives for more than one year. Its native range covers Indo-China and parts of Japan. These parts include south-central Japan and southern Japan. They also include the Nansei islands. Kew places it in the subtropical climate zone. It is not native to Britain or Ireland. Plants For A Future records it in Japan's mountain woods. Those sites lie at low heights in central and southern Japan.

The plant grows to about 2 feet (0.6 metres) tall. The sources do not state its full spread in gardens. They give no leaf or stem details for this species. They do not describe flower colour, shape or bloom time. The flowers have both male and female organs. This alone does not tell us how pollination takes place. The sources give no facts about its fruit or seeds.

Plants For A Future says it prefers moist soil. It lists sand, loam and clay as suitable soil types. The stated pH range runs from mildly acid to mildly alkaline. The profile allows both part shade and full sun. It suggests sites with patchy shade under trees or shaded edges. These sites match its known home in Japan's woods. Yet the source says little is known about growing this species. Its other growing notes draw on the whole genus. How well it copes with British winters remains unclear. The source gives no firm hardiness zone.

The profile says the dried plant has a strong scent. Plants For A Future lists no known uses as food. It notes past use for bad breath and stomach pain. It also notes use for swelling and snakebite. These uses do not prove that treatment works or is safe. The source lists no known hazards. This does not prove safety for people or pets. It gives no pest or disease details for this species.

The profile describes how to grow plants from seed or split clumps. It says to sow seed in spring or autumn in a cold frame. Move the young plants to their own pots before summer planting. Split clumps in spring or autumn. Large pieces can go straight to their final sites. Keep small pieces in pots under cover until roots grow well. The guidance then says to plant them outdoors in spring.