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Coptis chinensis
  • Huang Lian

a perennial evergreen member of the Coptis genus in the family Ranunculaceae.

Niche
  • Soil surface
    Soil surface
    There are no details available for this niche.
Functions
  • Ground cover
    Ground cover
    There are no details available for this function.
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • light shade
    Light shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementshigh
    High
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid
    Unknown
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 6
    Zone 6
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Coptis chinensis has 0 material uses listed
Coptis chinensis has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Toxic parts

Although no specific mention of toxicity has been found for this species, it belongs to a family that contains many species that are mildly toxic and so it is wise to treat this plant with some caution.

Edible uses

There are no edible uses listed for Coptis chinensis.

Material uses

A bright yellow pigment found in the roots can be used for dyeing[1]. Can be grown as a ground cover plant in the peat garden[2].

Unknown part

Dye

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

Huang Lian is commonly used in Chinese herbalism, where it is considered to be one of the 50 fundamental herbs[3]. The root is a pungent, very bitter, cooling herb that controls bacterial and viral infections, relaxes spasms, lowers fevers and stimulates the circulation[1]. It is one of the most frequently used herbs in prescriptions for the treatment of diabetes mellitus[3].

The root is analgesic, locally anaesthetic, antibacterial, antidote, antipyretic, bitter, blood tonic, carminative, cholagogue, digestive, sedative, stomachic, tonic and vasodilator[4][5][6][7]. It is particularly helpful in the treatment of diarrhoea, acute enteritis and dysentery, whilst it is also used in the treatment of insomnia, fidget, delirium due to high fever, leukaemia and otitis media[7]. Externally it is used to treat various skin problems such as acne, boils, abscesses and burns whilst it is also used as a gargle for mouth and tongue ulcers, swollen gums and toothache[8]. As an eyewash it is used to treat conjunctivitis[8].

The root is harvested in the autumn and used fresh or dried[1].

Unknown part

Anaesthetic
Analgesic
Antibacterial
Antidote
Antipyretic
Antispasmodic
Bitter
Blood tonic
Carminative
Cholagogue
Digestive
Sedative
Skin
Stomachic
Tonic
Vasodilator

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Soil surface

Ecological Functions

Ground cover

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - best sown in a greenhouse as soon as it is ripe in an ericaceous compost[9]. Seal the pot in a polythene bag until germination takes place, which is usually within 1 - 6 months at 10°c[9]. Stored seed should be sown as early in the year as possible. Four weeks cold stratification may be beneficial[9]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow on in a shady part of the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out in mid-autumn or in spring. Division in spring[2].

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Coptis chinensis. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Succeeds in a light moist humus-rich slightly acidic soil with a northerly aspect or light shade[10][2]. Plants are hardy to at least -15°c[1].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Coptis chinensis. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Coptis chinensis.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Coptis chinensis
Genus
Coptis
Family
Ranunculaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
Medicinal uses
[3][1][4][5][6][7][8]
Material uses & Functions
[1][2]
Botanic
[11]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Ground cover
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
6
Heat Zone
?
Water
high
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
acid
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    Soil surface
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    evergreen
    Herbaceous or Woody
    ?
    Life Cycle
    perennial
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    0.25 x 0.15 meters
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    Insects
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    hermaphrodite











    References

    1. ? 1.01.11.21.31.41.5 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.12.22.3 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.13.2 Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. ISBN 0-917256-20-4 (1985-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.1 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.1 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.1 ? A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press ISBN 0-914294-92-X ()
    7. ? 7.07.17.2 Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles (1985-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.18.2 Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London ISBN 9-780751-303148 (1996-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.19.2 Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 4. Thompson and Morgan. (1990-00-00)
    10. ? F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    11. ? [Flora of China] (1994-00-00)


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    Facts about "Coptis chinensis"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyRanunculaceae +
    Belongs to genusCoptis +
    Functions asGround cover +
    Has binomial nameCoptis chinensis +
    Has common nameHuang Lian +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has fertility typeInsects +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has hardiness zone6 +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has material partUnknown part +
    Has material useDye +
    Has mature height0.25 +
    Has mature width0.15 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAnaesthetic +, Analgesic +, Antibacterial +, Antidote +, Antipyretic +, Antispasmodic +, Bitter +, Blood tonic +, Carminative +, Cholagogue +, Digestive +, Sedative +, Skin +, Stomachic +, Tonic + and Vasodilator +
    Has search namecoptis chinensis + and huang lian +
    Has shade toleranceLight shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +
    Has soil texture preferenceSandy +, Loamy + and Clay +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
    Has taxonomy nameCoptis chinensis +
    Has water requirementshigh +
    Inhabits ecosystem nicheSoil surface +
    Is deciduous or evergreenEvergreen +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF edible use notes migratedYes +
    PFAF material use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF medicinal use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF propagation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF toxicity notes migratedNo +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +
    Has subobjectThis property is a special property in this wiki.Coptis chinensis +, Coptis chinensis +, Coptis chinensis +, Coptis chinensis +, Coptis chinensis +, Coptis chinensis +, Coptis chinensis +, Coptis chinensis +, Coptis chinensis +, Coptis chinensis +, Coptis chinensis +, Coptis chinensis +, Coptis chinensis +, Coptis chinensis +, Coptis chinensis +, Coptis chinensis + and Coptis chinensis +