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Coptis chinensis - Franch.

Common Name Huang Lian
Family Ranunculaceae
USDA hardiness 5-9
Known Hazards Although no specific mention of toxicity has been found for this species, it belongs to a family that contains many species that are mildly toxic and so it is wise to treat this plant with some caution.
Habitats Damp coniferous woods and bogs[238]. Forests, shaded places in valleys at elevations of 500 - 2000 metres[266].
Range E. Asia - China.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (3 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Wet Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Coptis chinensis Huang Lian


Coptis chinensis Huang Lian

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Coptis chinensis is an evergreen Perennial growing to 0.3 m (1ft) by 0.2 m (0ft 8in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It is in leaf all year, in flower from February to March, and the seeds ripen from April to May. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist or wet soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; Ground Cover; Bog Garden;

Edible Uses

None known

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Anaesthetic  Analgesic  Antibacterial  Antidote  Antipyretic  Antispasmodic  Bitter  Blood tonic  
Carminative  Cholagogue  Digestive  Dysentery  Sedative  Skin  Stomachic  
Tonic  Vasodilator

Huang Lian is commonly used in Chinese herbalism, where it is considered to be one of the 50 fundamental herbs[218]. The root is a pungent, very bitter, cooling herb that controls bacterial and viral infections, relaxes spasms, lowers fevers and stimulates the circulation[238]. It is one of the most frequently used herbs in prescriptions for the treatment of diabetes mellitus[218]. The root is analgesic, locally anaesthetic, antibacterial, antidote, antipyretic, bitter, blood tonic, carminative, cholagogue, digestive, sedative, stomachic, tonic and vasodilator[46, 61, 147, 176]. It is particularly helpful in the treatment of diarrhoea, acute enteritis and dysentery, whilst it is also used in the treatment of insomnia, fidget, delirium due to high fever, leukaemia and otitis media[176]. Externally it is used to treat various skin problems such as acne, boils, abscesses and burns whilst it is also used as a gargle for mouth and tongue ulcers, swollen gums and toothache[254]. As an eyewash it is used to treat conjunctivitis[254]. The root is harvested in the autumn and used fresh or dried[238].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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FOOD FOREST PLANTS

Other Uses

Dye

A bright yellow pigment found in the roots can be used for dyeing[238]. Can be grown as a ground cover plant in the peat garden[200].

Special Uses

Ground cover

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Succeeds in a light moist humus-rich slightly acidic soil with a northerly aspect or light shade[1, 200]. Plants are hardy to at least -15°c[238].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees, and Woodland Gardening. Our new book to be released soon is Edible Shrubs.

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Propagation

Seed - best sown in a greenhouse as soon as it is ripe in an ericaceous compost[164]. Seal the pot in a polythene bag until germination takes place, which is usually within 1 - 6 months at 10°c[164]. Stored seed should be sown as early in the year as possible. Four weeks cold stratification may be beneficial[164]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow on in a shady part of the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out in mid-autumn or in spring. Division in spring[200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Coptis brachypetala Perennial0.2 -  LMSM003
Coptis deltoidea Perennial0.2 -  LMHSNMWe023
Coptis japonica Perennial0.2 6-9  LMHSNM023
Coptis occidentalisIdaho goldthreadPerennial0.2 4-8  LMHSNM002
Coptis teetaYun LianPerennial0.2 -  LMHSNM123
Coptis trifoliaGoldthread, Threeleaf goldthreadPerennial0.2 2-7  LMHSM222

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Author

Franch.

Botanical References

266

Links / References

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Subject : Coptis chinensis  
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