Orostachys japonica
# Orostachys japonica

Orostachys japonica (Japanese：爪蓮華、昭和、秀女）also known as rock pine is a species of flowering plant in the family Crassulaceae. Native to East Asia. Its main habitat is on the surface of mountain rocks in Korea, Japan and China.

## Ecology

Orostachys japonica is a biennial/perennial plant growing to 10 centimetres (3.9 in). It is in flower from September to October. The flowers are hermaphrodite. The rosette leaves shape like a spatula.

* Suitable for: light sandy and loamy soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil.
* Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic alkaline soils.

Because of its growing shape which resembles a pine tree's cone, and its habit of growing on mountain rocks, it is also called rock pine. It grows well in a sunny or semi-shaded(light woodland) location with a well-drained and moist soil that is low in nutrients. Its flowers bloom from September to October. The flowers are white and each flower has 5 conical petals. The flower lacks a peduncle. Its calyx is divided into 5 parts. When the flowers bloom and produce seeds, it dries out.

## Medicinal uses

The leaves and stems contain several medically active constituents including fatty acid esters, Friedelin and flavonoids. They are antispasmodic and cytotoxic. It has anti-cancer effects in vitro. In Korea, they are used in the treatment of cancer, gingivitis, coagulation and metritis.

