Cyananthus lobatus
Trailing Bellflower
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Campanulaceae
- Genus
- Cyananthus
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Height
- 0.1 m
- Spread
- 0.5 m
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
Uses
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.
The flowers are used in Tibetan medicine, they are said to have a sweet, astringent and acrid taste with a cooling potency[2]. They are laxative and dry up serous fluids, and are used in the treatment of various serous disorders and constipation[2]. The juice of the root, mixed with a equal quantity of the root juice of Valeriana jatamansii, is used in the treatment of peptic ulcers[3].
- Product or use
- Laxative
- Product or use
- Stomachic
Environment
- Range
- E. Asia - Himalayas from Garwhal to Sikkim.
- Habitat
- Found in the alpine zone at heights of up to 4,200 metres. Open fields at elevations of 3300 - 4700 metres in Nepal[3].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 3+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
Seed - best sown in the autumn as soon as it is ripe[1]. Only just cover the seed and place it in a cold frame. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse until large enough to plant out (this is best done in early to mid summer). Softwood cuttings in spring[1].
Cultivation
Prefers a low-fertility, deep, gritty, cool and humus-rich soil, preferably acid, though most members of the genus will tolerate a little lime[1]. Tolerant of high summer rainfall, thriving in moist soils if these have perfect drainage[1]. Plants are hardy to at least -15°c[1]. There are some named forms, selected for their ornamental value[1].
References
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Tsarong. Tsewang. J. Tibetan Medicinal Plants Tibetan Medical Publications, India 1994-00-00 ISBN 81-900489-0-2
Manandhar. N. P. Plants and People of Nepal Timber Press. Oregon. 2002-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-527-6