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Platycodon grandiflorus
  • Balloon Flower

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

248px
Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
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 Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Acid to Alkaline
    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
  • 4
    Zone 4
    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
Platycodon grandiflorus has 0 edible uses listed
Platycodon grandiflorus has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Toxic parts

The root is poisonous[1]. The older, basal leaves are also said to be slightly toxic[2]. If these reports are true then this is an exceptional species in a family that is generally free of toxins and often used for food[K].

Edible uses

Notes

Young leaves - cooked[3]. The radical leaves are said to be slightly toxic so only the top leaves should be used.

Old leaves are powdered and used as a flavouring.

Root - cooked[3]. Eaten in soups as a tonic vegetable[4]. It is also peeled and pickled or preserved in sugar[5]. A nutritional analysis is available[5].

Unknown part

Condiment

Leaves

Unknown use

Root

Unknown use

Material uses

There are no material uses listed for Platycodon grandiflorus.

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

This species has a history of herbal use in China going back over 2,000 years and modern clinical tests have demonstrated its efficacy[5][4]. It is widely used there in patent remedies and is also made into cough tablets[4]. The root contains saponins and is anthelmintic, antiasthmatic, anticholesterolemic, antiphlogistic, antitussive, astringent, carminative, expectorant, haemolytic, hypoglycaemic, sedative, stomachic, tonic and vermifuge. It lowers blood sugar and cholesterol levels in the liver and inhibits the release of histamine[1][6][7][8][9][5][4][10]. It is used internally in the treatment of coughs with profuse phlegm, colds, bronchitis, pleurisy, pulmonary abscesses and throat infections[8][4]. It is also used to treat hypertension and diabetes in Korea[10]. The root of plants 2 - 3 years old are harvested in the spring or autumn, peeled and used fresh or dried[4].

Unknown part

Anthelmintic
Anticholesterolemic
Antiphlogistic
Antitussive
Astringent
Expectorant
Haemolytic
Hypoglycaemic
Sedative
Stomachic
Tonic

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame[11]. Free and quick germination[K]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out in the winter when the plants are dormant[238, K]. Basal cuttings of non-flowering shoots in spring, preferably with a piece of root attached[12]. Harvest the shoots with plenty of underground stem when they are about 8 - 10cm above the ground. Pot them up into individual pots and keep them in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer.

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



Cultivation

An easily grown plant, it succeeds in any good well-drained garden soil but prefers a light more or less sandy soil in a sunny position or light dappled shade[13].

Plants are hardy to about -15°c[13]. Another report says it is hardy to -20°c[14]. A very ornamental and long-lived plant[15][16], there are several named forms[4]. It is cultivated, especially in China, as a medicinal plant[17][4].

This species has brittle roots and strongly resents root disturbance. It should be planted out in its permanent position as soon as possible, and preferably when dormant in the winter[11][4].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Platycodon grandiflorus. 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 Platycodon grandiflorus.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Platycodon grandiflorus
Genus
Platycodon
Family
Campanulaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[3][4][5]
Medicinal uses
[5][4][1][6][7][8][9][10]
Material uses & Functions
Botanic
[18][13]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
4
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil Water Retention
well drained
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    ?
    Herbaceous or Woody
    ?
    Life Cycle
    perennial
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    0.5 x 0.4 meters
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    ?
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    hermaphrodite

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    "image:Platycodon grandiflorum2.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Platycodon grandiflorum2.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Platycodon grandiflorum2.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Platycodon grandiflorum2.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Platycodon grandiflorum2.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Platycodon grandiflorum2.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Platycodon grandiflorum2.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Platycodon grandiflorum2.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Platycodon grandiflorum2.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Platycodon grandiflorum2.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Platycodon grandiflorum2.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Platycodon grandiflorum2.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






    References

    1. ? 1.01.11.2 Brooklyn Botanic Garden Oriental Herbs and Vegetables, Vol 39 No. 2. Brooklyn Botanic Garden (1986-00-00)
    2. ? Reid. B. E. Famine Foods of the Chiu-Huang Pen-ts'ao. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre (1977-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.13.2 Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books ISBN 3874292169 (1984-00-00)
    4. ? 4.004.014.024.034.044.054.064.074.084.094.10 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.15.25.35.45.5 Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. ISBN 0-917256-20-4 (1985-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.1 ? A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press ISBN 0-914294-92-X ()
    7. ? 7.07.1 Kariyone. T. Atlas of Medicinal Plants. ()
    8. ? 8.08.18.2 Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles (1985-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.1 Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre ()
    10. ? 10.010.110.2 Medicinal Plants in the Republic of Korea World Health Organisation, Manila ISBN 92 9061 120 0 (1998-00-00)
    11. ? 11.011.1 Sanders. T. W. Popular Hardy Perennials. Collingridge (1926-00-00)
    12. ? Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. ISBN 0-86318-386-7 (1990-00-00)
    13. ? 13.013.113.2 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    14. ? Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books ISBN 0-330-30936-9 (1991-00-00)
    15. ? F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    16. ? Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. ISBN 0 460 86048 8 (1990-00-00)
    17. ? Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
    18. ? Ohwi. G. Flora of Japan. (English translation) Smithsonian Institution (1965-00-00)

    "image:Platycodon grandiflorum2.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    Retrieved from "http://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Platycodon_grandiflorus&oldid=79489"
    Facts about "Platycodon grandiflorus"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyCampanulaceae +
    Belongs to genusPlatycodon +
    Has binomial namePlatycodon grandiflorus +
    Has common nameBalloon Flower +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partUnknown part +, Leaves + and Root +
    Has edible useCondiment + and Unknown use +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has hardiness zone4 +
    Has imagePlatycodon grandiflorum2.jpg +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has mature height0.5 +
    Has mature width0.4 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAnthelmintic +, Anticholesterolemic +, Antiphlogistic +, Antitussive +, Astringent +, Expectorant +, Haemolytic +, Hypoglycaemic +, Sedative +, Stomachic + and Tonic +
    Has primary imagePlatycodon grandiflorum2.jpg +
    Has search nameplatycodon grandiflorus + and balloon flower +
    Has shade toleranceLight shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil texture preferenceSandy +, Loamy + and Clay +
    Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
    Has taxonomy namePlatycodon grandiflorus +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF edible use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF material use notes migratedYes +
    PFAF medicinal use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF propagation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF toxicity notes migratedNo +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +
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