Adenophora stricta

Miquel

Sha shen

CampanulaceaeLeavesRoots

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What to Eat

Edible parts: Root, Leaves

The root is edible cooked, and is said to be excellent eating when boiled in two changes of water. The leaves are also edible cooked.

Where to Find It

It is a temperate plant. It grows in eastern China. It grows best in a light rich slightly alkaline soil. It needs a sunny position. It does not like having its roots disturbed. It grows below 3,300 m above sea level. In Sichuan and Yunnan.

Asia, China, Japan, Korea,

Countries: United Arab Emirates, Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bahrain, Brunei, Bhutan, China, Georgia, Indonesia, Israel, India, Iraq, Iran, Jordan, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Cambodia, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Laos, Lebanon, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Mongolia, Maldives, Malaysia, Nepal, Oman, Philippines, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Syria, Thailand, Tajikistan, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Turkey, Taiwan, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Yemen

How to Identify

A herb that keeps growing from year to year. It grows 80 cm tall. The leaves are oval and 3-11 cm long by 2-5 cm wide. The flowers are blue or purple.

How to Grow

Plants can be grown from seed. Seeds germinate in 1-3 months at 10°C. They can be transplanted or sown direct. Plants can also be grown from cuttings.

Propagation: Seed is best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe, though spring sowing also works. Surface sow 2–3 seeds per pot in spring to avoid the need for transplanting. If transplanted as very small seedlings, they grow away without difficulty. Germination takes 1–3 months at 10°C. Plant out into permanent positions while still young. Basal cuttings can be taken in spring. Division in spring is possible but very difficult, as the plant dislikes root disturbance.

Medicinal Uses

The root is a stimulant herb that acts primarily on the respiratory system and the heart. It is antitussive and expectorant, and is used internally to treat dry coughs, chronic bronchitis, and tuberculosis.

Other Uses

None known.

Wikipedia

An upright perennial reaching 1 m tall with 0.3 m spread, hardy to UK zone 7. Produces flowers in September with seeds ripening in October. Hermaphroditic and insect-pollinated. Thrives in full sun and moist soil; tolerates light sandy to medium loamy soils from mildly acidic to basic pH.

Notes

There are about 40 Adenophora species. They are temperate plants. It is used in medicine.

Names & Synonyms

Apudada, Pao shen

Adenophora confusa (Nannf.)

References (9)

Ann. Mus. Bot. Lugduno-Batavum 2:192. 1866
Brown, D., 2002, The Royal Horticultural Society encyclopedia of Herbs and their uses. DK Books. p 102
Geng, Y., et al, 2016, Traditional knowledge and its transmission of wild edibles used by the Naxi in Baidi Village, northwest Yunnan province. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine. 12:10
Hu, Shiu-ying, 2005, Food Plants of China. The Chinese University Press. p 713
Hwang, H., et al, 2013, A Study on the Flora of 15 Islands in the Western Sea of Jeollanamdo Province, Korea. Journal of Asia-Pacific Biodiversity Vol. 6, No. 2 281-310
Kang, Y., et al, 2014, Wild food plants used by the Tibetans of Gongba Valley (Zouqu country, Gansu, China) Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 10:20
Lim, T. K., 2015, Edible Medicinal and Non Medicinal Plants. Volume 9, Modified Stems, Roots, Bulbs. Springer p 3
Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
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