Adenophora stricta
| Adenophora stricta | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 7 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 3' |
| Width: | 1' |
| Blooms: | Early Fall |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
 | |
Adenophora stricta (common name: sha shen)
Propagation: Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe[1]. The seed can also be sown in spring. Surface sow 2 - 3 seeds per pot in the spring in order to avoid transplanting[2]. We have found that if transplanted when very small seedlings grow away without difficulty[K]. Germinates in 1 - 3 months at 10°c[2]. Plant out into their permanent positions whilst young.
Basal cuttings in spring[3][K].
Division in spring - very difficult because the plant dislikes root disturbance[4].
Cultivation: Prefers a light rich slightly alkaline soil that is not too dry, and a warm sunny position[4][1].
Plants are intolerant of root disturbance[4], though they are fast-growing and can become invasive when well-sited[3].
The young growth is extremely attractive to slugs, they have been known to destroy even mature plants[K].
Range: E. Asia - China. Cultivated and naturalised in Japan.
Habitat: Hillsides and hilly places in China[5].
Edibility: Root - cooked[6][7]. When boiled in two changes of water, it is said to be excellent eating[8].
Medicinal: The root is a stimulant herb that acts mainly on the respiratory system and the heart[3]. It is antitussive and expectorant[5] and is used internally to treat dry coughs, chronic bronchitis and tuberculosis[3].
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light and medium soils.
Seed Ripens: Mid Fall
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Rice, Graham. Growing from Seed Volume 1. Thompson and Morgan, 1987.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Bown, Deni. Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopaedia of Herbs and Their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, 1995.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Revolutionary Health Committee of Hunan Province. A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Tanaka, Tyōzaburō. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing, 1976.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Read, Bernard. Famine Foods Listed in the Chiu Huang Pen Ts'ao. Taipei Southern Materials Centre, 1977.