Practical
Plants

Codonopsis lanceolata

Todok

a perennial woody member of the Codonopsis genus in the family Campanulaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Woodiness
woody
Height
0.9 m
Fertility
Bees, Wasps
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees, Wasps

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Root - raw or cooked[2][5]. The plant produces thick tubers[10]. Young plant - raw or cooked[2][5]. A nutritional analysis is available[8].

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.

Aphrodisiac, tonic[11][13]. The root is anticancer, depurative, emmenagogue and galactogogue[3][8]. A decoction is used in the treatment of lung abscesses, milk-flow obstruction, amenorrhoea, acute and inflamed boils and abscesses and lymphadenopathy[3].

Product or use
Aphrodisiac
Product or use
Depurative
Product or use
Emmenagogue
Product or use
Galactogogue
Product or use
Tonic

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Climber

Environment

Range
E. Asia - China, Japan.
Habitat
Moist places in woods in low mountains and hills[12][3]. Edges of moist forests at elevations of 200 - 1600 metres all over Japan[10].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 7+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

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[4]. 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[7]. 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

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Prefers a well-drained fertile light soil in full sun or semi shade[14][17]. Plants only succeed in full sun if the soil remains moist during the growing season[17]. Prefers a slightly acid soil[15].

Dormant plants are hardy to about -20°c[16]. 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[18]. The plant resents root disturbance and should be planted out into its permanent position as soon as possible[15]. 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[14].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

  2. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  3. ? A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press ISBN 0-914294-92-X

    ↩1↩2↩3

  4. Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 4. Thompson and Morgan. 1990-00-00

    ↩

  5. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

    ↩1↩2

  6. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30936-9

  7. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩

  8. Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4

    ↩1↩2

  9. Grey-Wilson. C. & Matthews. V. Gardening on Walls Collins 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-00-219220-0

  10. Flora of Japan www.foj.info

    ↩1↩2

  11. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩

  12. Ohwi. G. Flora of Japan. (English translation) Smithsonian Institution 1965-00-00

    ↩

  13. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩

  14. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)

    ↩1↩2

  15. Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 4. Thompson and Morgan. (1990-00-00)

    ↩1↩2

  16. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books ISBN 0-330-30936-9 (1991-00-00)

    ↩

  17. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)

    ↩1↩2

  18. Grey-Wilson. C. & Matthews. V. Gardening on Walls Collins ISBN 0-00-219220-0 (1983-00-00)

    ↩

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