Indigo, Japanese (Ko-Joh-Ko) (Persicaria tinctoria) potted plant, organic

Family:  Buckwheat (Polygonaceae)

Annual, 150 days to maturity

(Dyer’s Knotweed, Ko-Joh-Ko, Liao lan) Frost-tender annual to 5 feet tall, a much-branched plant with pointed leaves and white flowers, native to Eastern Europe and Asia, including especially Japan and Korea.  Traditional use:  Fresh and dried leaves used in treating infections, as a disinfectant, also as a treatment for canker sores and seafood poisoning.  Source of indicin, which by way of dyemaking (hydrolysis and acidification) yield 4-5% plant weight of pure indigo dye.  This variety is the preferred type (white-flowered) for dyemaking. Best to transplant seedlings to field in May, first harvest July, second harvest August.  Space plants 1 foot apart.

Potted plant, certified organically grown