Practical
Plants

Codonopsis ovata

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

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Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.4 m
Spread
0.4 m
Flower type
hermaphrodite

Uses

Edible uses

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

Root - cooked. It can be dried and ground into a powder[2]. A famine food, used when all else fails[3].

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 roots and leaves are used to make a poultice for the treatment of bruises, ulcers and wounds[7][8].

Product or use
Poultice

Environment

Range
E. Asia - Himalayas - Pakistan to Kashmir.
Habitat
Rocks and alpine slopes of the eastern Himalayas, usually amongst shrubs, 3000 - 4200 metres[10][3].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 4+
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[6]. 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[1][6]. Plants only succeed in full sun if the soil remains moist during the growing season[6]. Prefers a slightly acid soil[4]. Dormant plants are hardy to about -20°c, but this species is not easy to grow in cultivation[5]. 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]. This species is not as cold tolerant as most members of the genus, it is best given a good mulch in the winter[6]. The plant resents root disturbance and should be planted out into its permanent position as soon as possible[4]. It is best grown on a high bank in order to give a good view of the flowers[1]. The flowers, when inhaled near to, have the unpleasant odour of fur - likened by some to the smell of ferrets[9]. 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].

References

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

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩

  3. Singh. Dr. G. and Kachroo. Prof. Dr. P. Forest Flora of Srinagar. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh 1976-00-00

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  7. Coventry. B. O. Wild Flowers of Kashmir Raithby, Lawrence and Co. 1923-00-00

    ↩

  8. Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986-00-00

    ↩

  9. Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8

    ↩

  10. Polunin. O. and Stainton. A. Flowers of the Himalayas. Oxford Universtiy Press 1984-00-00

    ↩

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