Peucedanum japonicum aka Costal Hog Fennel

Peucedanum japonicum belongs to the carrot family, Apiaceae. It is a perennial, which means it lives for years. Its native range covers eastern and southeastern China. It also includes Japan and the Philippines. Plants For A Future also lists South Korea, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. In Japan, it grows in sandy sites near the sea. Records place these sites in central and southern Japan. Kew classes it as a plant of temperate regions. It is not native to Britain or Ireland.

The plant grows about 2 feet [0.6 metres] tall. The sources give no width for a full-grown plant. They give no leaf or stem details for this species. Flowers appear from July to August. Each flower has both male and female parts. Insects pollinate the flowers. The plant can also fertilise itself. Seeds ripen from September to October, after the summer bloom. The sources do not state the flowers' colour. Nor do they describe the shape of the fruit.

Plants For A Future lists sun and light shade as suitable. It notes that the plant prefers moist soil. The plant can grow in sand, loam, or clay. The stated soil pH can be slightly acid to slightly alkaline. It can also cope with exposed sites near the coast. These traits fit its known sites near the sea. The listed growing sites also include beds in gardens. The source is unsure how much British cold it withstands. It suggests that mild parts of Britain may suit it. This view rests on its native range, not proven hardiness tests. The sources give no firm hardiness zone.

The young leaves have a recorded food use after parboiling. This means boiling them for a short time. Plants For A Future rates their food value one out of five. People in Korea have used the root as medicine. Reported uses include migraine, colds, and rheumatoid arthritis. The source reports coumarins in the root. It also notes effects that harm cells and reduce blood clotting. These findings do not prove it is a safe home treatment. The source gives no specific report of toxicity for this species. That does not prove all parts are safe to eat. The sources give no pest or disease details for this species.