This taxon is treated as Adenophora tetraphylla (Thunb.) Fisch., in the Flora of China[].

Common Name: Nan Sha Shen

General Information

Adenophora triphylla is an erect, herbaceous, perennial plant producing one or more unbranched stems up to 150cm tall. The stems grow from a carrot-shaped rootstock that can be 70 - 160mm long and 15 - 18mm wide[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and medicine.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Asia - Russia from southern Siberia to Primorye, China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam, Laos.

Habitat

Grassy places in lowland and mountains, also on woodland edges[]. In meadows from the lowlands to elevations of 1,000 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	1.00 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Adenophora triphylla has a wide range from the cold, temperate zone of the Russian Federation south to the tropics of Vietnam and Laos. It is usually found at low elevations in the north of its range, but is more likely to be found at higher elevations towards the south - it is found up to 2,000 metres in southern China[]. Plants, at least those obtained from the north of its range, are hardy to about -20°c, perhaps even lower if the soil is reliably well-drained[, ].
Prefers a light rich slightly alkaline soil that is not too dry and a warm sunny position[, ]. Prefers a moist peaty soil in sun or partial shade[].
This species is extremely polymorphic, and several varieties and forms have been described in Japan. The many variations in several characters (hairiness, leaf-shape, inflorescence-shape etc.) can be seen in individuals growing intermixed[].
This species succeeds in a meadow if the grass is not cut until after the plant flowers[].
Intolerant of root disturbance[].
The young growth is extremely attractive to slugs, they have been known to destroy even mature plants[].

Edible Uses

Root - cooked[, , , ]. A sweet flavour[]. The root is thick and carrot shaped[]. The root can be 70 - 160mm long and 15 - 18mm wide[].

Leaves - cooked[, ].

Medicinal

This is a commonly used medicinal plant in China. The root is antidote, antifungal, cardiotonic, expectorant, febrifuge, sialogogue, stomachic and tonic[, , , ]. It is used in the treatment of women's diseases, chronic bronchitis with dry cough, bronchial catarrh, pulmonary infections with cough and thick yellow sputum, dry throat[, ].

The root has been shown to contain saponins and triterpenes, which are responsible for its expectorant action[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe[]. The seed can also be sown in spring. Surface sow 2 - 3 seeds per pot in the spring in order to avoid transplanting[]. We have found that if transplanted when very small seedlings grow away without difficulty[]. Germinates in 1 - 3 months at 10°c[]. Plant out into their permanent positions whilst young.
Basal cuttings in spring[].