Life Span
Perennial
  
Perennial
  
Type
Herbaceous Perennial
  
Tree
  
Origin
China, Japan, Korea
  
Northeastern United States, Mid-Atlantic United States, Southeastern United States
  
Types
Not Available
  
Not Available
  
Habitat
Dappled Shade, meadows, Shady Edge, Sunny Edge, Woodland Garden
  
Lowland, Sandy areas, Wet Woods
  
USDA Hardiness Zone
5-9
  
5-9
  
AHS Heat Zone
9-4
  
9-7
  
Sunset Zone
2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
  
2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21
  
Habit
Clump-Forming
  
Pyramidal
  
Plant Size
  
  
Minimum Height
1,828.80 cm
  
23
Plant Color
  
  
Flower Color
Light Yellow, Ivory
  
Yellow green
  
Flower Color Modifier
Bicolor
  
Bicolor
  
Fruit Color
Not Available
  
Dark Blue, Black
  
Leaf Color in Spring
Green
  
Light Green
  
Leaf Color in Summer
Green
  
Dark Green
  
Leaf Color in Fall
Green
  
Crimson, Dark Red, Orange Red
  
Leaf Color in Winter
Not Available
  
Not Available
  
Shape
  
  
Leaf Shape
Ovate
  
Oblovate
  
Thorns
No
  
No
  
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall
  
Fall
  
Growing Conditions
  
  
Sunlight
Partial shade, Full Shade
  
Full Sun, Partial Sun
  
Growth Rate
Fast
  
Slow
  
Type of Soil
Clay, Loam, Sand
  
Clay, Loam
  
The pH of Soil
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
  
Acidic
  
Soil Drainage
Poorly Drained
  
Poorly Drained
  
Bloom Time
Early Spring, Late Winter
  
Summer
  
Repeat Bloomer
No
  
No
  
Tolerances
Wet Site
  
Wet Site, Drought, Soil Compaction
  
Where to Plant?
Container, Ground, Pot
  
Ground
  
How to Plant?
Divison, Seedlings
  
Seedlings, Stem Cutting
  
Plant Maintenance
Medium
  
Medium
  
Watering Plants
  
  
Watering Requirements
Water once every two or three weeks
  
Average Water Needs, Medium
  
In Summer
Lots of watering
  
Lots of watering
  
In Spring
Moderate
  
Moderate
  
In Winter
Average Water
  
Average Water
  
Soil
  
  
Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
  
Acidic
  
Soil Type
Clay, Loam, Sand
  
Clay, Loam
  
Soil Drainage Capacity
Poorly Drained
  
Poorly Drained
  
Sun Exposure
Partial shade, Full Shade
  
Full Sun, Partial Sun
  
Pruning
Remove the old foliage
  
Prune in early spring, Prune in late winter, Prune when plant is dormant, Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves
  
Fertilizers
Use a fertilizer ratio of 16-4-8
  
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, Fertilize in early spring
  
Pests and Diseases
No serious insect or disease problems
  
Red blotch
  
Plant Tolerance
Drought
  
Drought, Soil Compaction, Wet Site
  
Flowers
Showy
  
Insignificant
  
Flower Petal Number
Not Available
  
Single
  
Fruits
  
  
Showy Fruit
No
  
Yes
  
Edible Fruit
No
  
No
  
Fragrance
  
  
Fragrant Flower
Yes
  
No
  
Fragrant Fruit
No
  
No
  
Fragrant Leaf
No
  
No
  
Fragrant Bark/Stem
No
  
No
  
Showy Foliage
Yes
  
Yes
  
Showy Bark
No
  
Yes
  
Foliage Texture
Bold
  
Bold
  
Foliage Sheen
Glossy
  
Glossy
  
Evergreen
No
  
No
  
Invasive
Sometimes
  
No
  
Self-Sowing
No
  
Yes
  
Attracts
Not Available
  
Birds
  
Allergy
no allergic reactions
  
Mild Allergen, Pollen
  
Uses
  
  
Aesthetic Uses
Bog Garden, Showy Purposes
  
Used in parkland, Water gardening
  
Beauty Benefits
Not Available
  
Not Available
  
Edible Uses
Yes
  
Yes
  
Environmental Uses
Air purification
  
Air purification, Food for animals, Food for birds, Nesting sites for birds, Shadow Tree, Shelter for wildlife, Wildlife, Windbreak
  
Plant Benefits
  
  
Medicinal Uses
Antiasthamatic, Antispasmodic, Expectorant, Poultice
  
Emetic, Opthalmic, Vermifuge
  
Part of Plant Used
Flowers, Stem
  
Fruits, Seeds
  
Other Uses
Can be boiled and seasoned, pickled, Used as umbrellas by Japanese children, Used as walking sticks, Used like rhubarb
  
Food for insects, Used as a dye, Used As Food, Used as Ornamental plant
  
Used As Indoor Plant
No
  
No
  
Used As Outdoor Plant
Yes
  
Yes
  
Garden Design
Bog Garden, Container, Feature Plant, Water Gardens
  
Feature Plant, Shade Trees, Street Trees
  
Botanical Name
PETASITES japonicus
  
NYSSA sylvatica
  
Common Name
Giant Butterbur, Japanese Butterbur
  
Black Tupelo, Blackgum, Sour Gum
  
In Hindi
Giant Butterbur
  
Black Tupelo Tree
  
In German
Riesen Pestwurz
  
Schwarz Tupelo Baum
  
In French
géant Butterbur
  
Noir Arbre Tupelo
  
In Spanish
gigante petasita
  
Árbol negro Tupelo
  
In Greek
Giant Butterbur
  
Μαύρη Tupelo Δέντρο
  
In Portuguese
Carrapicho gigante
  
Árvore Tupelo Preto
  
In Polish
Giant Lepiężnik
  
Czarny Tupelo Drzewo
  
In Latin
Giant Butterbur
  
Niger Tupelo ligno
  
Kingdom
Plantae
  
Plantae
  
Phylum
Magnoliophyta
  
Magnoliophyta
  
Class
Magnoliopsida
  
Magnoliopsida
  
Order
Asterales
  
Cornales
  
Family
Asteraceae
  
Nyssaceae
  
Genus
Petasites
  
Nyssa
  
Clade
Angiosperms, Asterids, Eudicots
  
Angiosperms, Asterids, Eudicots
  
Tribe
Senecioneae
  
Bombini
  
Subfamily
Asteroideae
  
Nyssoideae
  
Number of Species
Not Available
  
Not Available