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Codonopsis pilosula - (Franch.)Nannf.

Common Name Dang Shen, Bellflower
Family Campanulaceae
USDA hardiness 5-9
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Dense shrubby thickets, the shade of trees at forest edges, streambanks etc[74].
Range N.E. Asia - Korea
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (3 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Codonopsis pilosula Dang Shen, Bellflower


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Doronenko
Codonopsis pilosula Dang Shen, Bellflower
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Doronenko

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Codonopsis pilosula is a PERENNIAL CLIMBER growing to 1.7 m (5ft 7in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from June to August, and the seeds ripen from August to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Campanumoea pilosula. Franch.

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Root
Edible Uses:

Root - raw or cooked[105, 177].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

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Adaptogen  Appetizer  Digestive  Galactogogue  Sialagogue  Stomachic  Tonic

Dang Shun is an important herb in Chinese medicine, it is a gentle tonic that increases energy levels and helps the body adapt to stress[254]. The root contains saponins, triterpenes and steroids[279], it is similar in action to ginseng (Panax species), but it is milder and has a shorter-lasting effect[4, 116, 174, 176, 218, 238, 254]. It is a sweet, warm, soothing herb that is taken as an energy tonic[238]. It acts mainly on the spleen, lungs and stomach, raising secretion of body fluids and blood sugar levels, and stimulating the immune system[238]. Research has shown that it increases haemoglobin and red blood cell levels and lowers the blood pressure. It also helps increase endurance to stress and promotes alertness[254]. The root and the whole plant are adaptogen, appetizer, digestive, galactogogue, sialagogue, stomachic and tonic[116, 147, 174, 176, 238, 254]. It is taken internally in the treatment of low energy, poor appetite and digestion, anaemia, shallow breathing and debility after illness[238, 254]. It is often cooked with rice until it is glutinous and used as a tonic food[238]. The dried root is decocted with other herbs and used to treat a wide range of ailments[218]. The roots of plants at least three years old are harvested in the autumn and can be used fresh or dried[238].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Prefers a well-drained fertile light soil in full sun or semi shade[1, 200]. Plants only succeed in full sun if the soil remains moist during the growing season[200]. Prefers a slightly acid soil[164]. Although quite cold-hardy when dormant, the young growth in spring, even on mature plants, is frost-tender and so it is best to grow the plants in a position sheltered from the early morning sun[K]. A climbing plant, supporting itself by twining and scrambling over other plants[219]. The plant resents root disturbance and should be planted out into its permanent position as soon as possible[164]. It is best grown on a high bank in order to give a good view of the flowers[1]. Plants are very susceptible to the ravages of slugs. The young shoots in spring are particularly at risk, though older growth is also eaten[K].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Plant Propagation

Seed - surface sow in spring to early summer in an ericaceous compost in a greenhouse. Do not allow the compost to dry out. The seed usually germinates in 1 - 6 weeks at 20°c[164]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle and grow them on in a greenhouse for their first winter. Plant out in late spring or early summer and protect them from slugs until the plants are well established[K]. Division in spring, with care, since the plant resents root disturbance[200]. We have found it best to take small divisions that are teased out from the sides of the main clump so as to cause the least possible disturbance to the plants and to avoid having to dig up the clump. These small divisions need to be potted up and placed in light shade in a greenhouse until they are rooting well. They can be planted out into their permanent positions in the summer if they are large enough, otherwise in the following spring[K].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Mongolia, Russian Federation (Habarovskij kraj, Primorye), China (Gansu Sheng (east), Guizhou Sheng (north), Hebei Sheng, Heilongjiang Sheng, Henan Sheng, Hubei Sheng (west), Hunan Sheng (west), Jilin Sheng, Liaoning Sheng, Nei Mongol Zizhiqu, Ningxia Huizi Zizhiqu, Qinghai Sheng (east), Shaanxi Sheng, Shandong Sheng, Shanxi Sheng, Sichuan Sheng, Yunnan Sheng (northwest)), Korea

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
Codonopsis javanica Perennial Climber0.0 -  LMHSNM01 
Codonopsis lanceolataTodokPerennial Climber1.5 6-9  LMSNM22 
Codonopsis nervosa Perennial0.0 -  LMSNM02 
Codonopsis ovata Perennial0.4 4-8  LMSNM21 
Codonopsis tangshenChuan DangPerennial Climber3.0 4-8  LMSNM03 
Codonopsis tubulosa Perennial Climber1.5 6-9  LMSNM03 
Codonopsis ussuriensis Perennial0.3 6-9  LMSNM20 

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.

 

Expert comment

Author

(Franch.)Nannf.

Botanical References

74200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

Dave Boehnlein   Sun Jun 17 2007

Has anyone tried to grow this in a slug-heavy area (like the Pacific NW of the US)? I have several plants in 1 gallon pots and I want to plant them out. However, I'm not intereste4d in feeding them to the slugs...

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