Adenophora stricta
Sha Shen
a perennial member of the Adenophora genus in the family Campanulaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Campanulaceae
- Genus
- Adenophora
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Height
- 1 m
- Spread
- 0.3 m
- Fertility
- Insects
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Insects
Uses
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Root - cooked[2][5]. When boiled in two changes of water, it is said to be excellent eating[6]. Leaves - cooked[2][5][6].
- Plant part
- Leaves
- Plant part
- Root
Medicinal uses
Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The root is a stimulant herb that acts mainly on the respiratory system and the heart[8]. It is antitussive and expectorant[4] and is used internally to treat dry coughs, chronic bronchitis and tuberculosis[8].
- Product or use
- Antitussive
- Product or use
- Expectorant
Environment
- Range
- E. Asia - China. Cultivated and naturalised in Japan.
- Habitat
- Hillsides and hilly places in China[4].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- no shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 7+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe[7]. The seed can also be sown in spring. Surface sow 2 - 3 seeds per pot in the spring in order to avoid transplanting[3]. We have found that if transplanted when very small seedlings grow away without difficulty[K]. Germinates in 1 - 3 months at 10°c[3]. Plant out into their permanent positions whilst young. Basal cuttings in spring[238, K]. Division in spring - very difficult because the plant dislikes root disturbance[1].
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Prefers a light rich slightly alkaline soil that is not too dry, and a warm sunny position[1][7]. Plants are intolerant of root disturbance[1], though they are fast-growing and can become invasive when well-sited[8]. The young growth is extremely attractive to slugs, they have been known to destroy even mature plants[K].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00
Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 1. Thompson and Morgan. 1987-00-00
? A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press ISBN 0-914294-92-X
Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169
Reid. B. E. Famine Foods of the Chiu-Huang Pen-ts'ao. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre 1977-00-00
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31
Flora of Japan www.foj.info