Codonopsis lanceolata
| Codonopsis lanceolata | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 7 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-7.3 |
| Height: | 5' |
| Blooms: | Late Summer-Early Fall |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Codonopsis lanceolata (common name: todok)
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[1]. 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[2]. 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].
Cultivation: Prefers a well-drained fertile light soil in full sun or semi shade[3][2]. Plants only succeed in full sun if the soil remains moist during the growing season[2]. Prefers a slightly acid soil[1].
Dormant plants are hardy to about -20°c[4]. 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 lot of confusion exists over the correct authorship of this specific name. Apart from the one mentioned above there are also :- (Sieb.&Zucc.)Trautv.; Benth.; and Benth.&Hook.
A climbing plant, supporting itself by twining and scrambling over other plants[5].
The plant resents root disturbance and should be planted out into its permanent position as soon as possible[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].
It is best grown on a high bank in order to give a good view of the flowers[3].
Range: E. Asia - China, Japan.
Habitat: Moist places in woods in low mountains and hills[6][7]. Edges of moist forests at elevations of 200 - 1600 metres all over Japan[8].
Edibility: Root - raw or cooked[9][10]. The plant produces thick tubers[8].
Young plant - raw or cooked[9][10]. A nutritional analysis is available[11].
Medicinal: Aphrodisiac, tonic[12][13].
The root is anticancer, depurative, emmenagogue and galactogogue[7][11]. A decoction is used in the treatment of lung abscesses, milk-flow obstruction, amenorrhoea, acute and inflamed boils and abscesses and lymphadenopathy[7].
Pollinators: Bees, wasps
Soil: Can grow in light and medium soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Seed Ripens: Early Fall-Mid Fall
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Also Known As: Campanumoea lanceolata.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Bird, Alfred. Growing from Seed Volume 4. Thompson and Morgan, 1990.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Perennials - The Definitve Reference. Pan Books, 1991.
- ↑ Grey-Wilson, Christopher and Victoria Matthews. Gardening on Walls. Collins, 1983.
- ↑ Ohwi, Jisaburo. Flora of Japan. Smithsonian Institution, 1965.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Revolutionary Health Committee of Hunan Province. A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Flora of Japan.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Tanaka, Tyōzaburō. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing, 1976.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Duke, James and Edward Ayensu. Medicinal Plants of China. Reference Publications, 1985.
- ↑ Uphof, Johannes. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim, 1959.
- ↑ Usher, George. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable, 1974.