About Orostachys japonica (Maxim.) A.Berger
Orostachys japonica, called 爪蓮華 in Japanese and commonly known as rock pine, is a flowering plant species in the family Crassulaceae. It is native to East Asia, and its primary natural habitat is the surface of mountain rocks in Korea, Japan, and China.
Orostachys japonica is a biennial or perennial plant that grows up to 10 centimetres (3.9 inches) tall. It flowers from September to October, and its flowers are hermaphrodite. Its rosette leaves are spatula-shaped. It grows well in light sandy or loamy well-drained soil, and can tolerate nutritionally poor soil. It tolerates a wide range of pH levels, including acidic, neutral, and alkaline (basic) soils. It gets its common name "rock pine" from its growth form, which resembles a pine cone, and its natural habit of growing on mountain rocks. It thrives in sunny or semi-shaded locations such as light woodland, and prefers well-drained, moist soil that is low in nutrients. Its flowers are white, each with 5 conical petals. The flowers do not have a peduncle, and its calyx is split into 5 parts. After blooming and producing seeds, the plant dries out.
The leaves and stems of Orostachys japonica contain several medicinally active compounds, including fatty acid esters, Friedelin, and flavonoids. The plant has antispasmodic and cytotoxic properties, and has demonstrated anti-cancer effects in vitro. In Korea, it is used to treat cancer, gingivitis, coagulation issues, and metritis.
