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Summary

Physical Characteristics

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

Plant 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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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,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant 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 Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: China (Anhui Sheng, Fujian Sheng, Guangdong Sheng, Guangxi Zhuangzu Zizhiqu, Guizhou Sheng, Hubei Sheng, Hunan Sheng, Shaanxi Sheng, Sichuan Sheng, Zhejiang Sheng) TROPICAL ASIA: India (Assam), Myanmar (north)

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 itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Coptis brachypetala		Perennial	0.2	-	LM	S	M	0	0	3
Coptis deltoidea		Perennial	0.2	-	LMH	SN	MWe	0	2	3
Coptis japonica		Perennial	0.2	6-9	LMH	SN	M	0	2	3
Coptis occidentalis	Idaho goldthread	Perennial	0.2	4-8	LMH	SN	M	0	0	2
Coptis teeta	Yun Lian	Perennial	0.2	-	LMH	SN	M	1	2	3
Coptis trifolia	Goldthread, Threeleaf goldthread	Perennial	0.2	2-7	LMH	S	M	2	2	2

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.

Coptis chinensis - Franch.