Cryptotaenia japonica Hassk.

Plants 20–100 cm. Basal and lower petioles 5–20 cm, with oblong sheaths; blade triangular to broad-ovate, 2–14 × 3–7 cm; middle leaflets rhombic-obovate or cordate, 2–9 × 1.5–10 cm; lateral leaflets obliquely long-ovate to obovate, 1.5–8 × 1–6 cm. Bracts absent or 1, linear, 4–10 × 0.5–1.5 mm; rays 2–3, 0.5–3.5 cm, very unequal; bracteoles 1–3, subulate, 4–10 mm; pedicels 2–4, 1–14 mm, very unequal. Calyx teeth 0.1–0.3 mm, unequal. Petals 1–1.2 × ca. 0.6–1 mm. Fruit 4–6 × 1–1.5 mm. Fl. and fr. Feb–Oct. n = 11*.

It is a temperate plant. It suits cooler places. It withstands frosts well. It can grow in shade. In China it grows in damp places between 200-2,400 m. It suits hardiness zones 4-10. Melbourne Botanical Gardens. In Sichuan and Yunnan.

The leaves are boiled than eaten with oil and salt. The roots are cooked and eaten The seeds are used for seasoning. Young seedlings or sprouts are eaten. The leaves and leaf stalks are blanched and eaten raw in salads.

Plants are grown from seed. These are sown 6 mm deep. They are spaced 25 cm apart.