Common Name:

General Information

Adenophora lamarckii is an erect, herbaceous, perennial plant producing one or more unbranched stems 30 - 100cm tall. The stems are produced from a carrot-shaped rootstock that can be up to 25mm in diameter[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

Asia - southern Siberia, Kazakhstan, northern China, Mongolia, Korea.

Habitat

Found in broad-leaved and open forests, forest edges[]. On the margins of montane deciduous forests[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.60 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Species in this genus are usually reliably hardy at temperatures down to at least -15°c, perhaps even lower if the soil is well-drained[].
Prefers a light rich slightly alkaline soil that is not too dry, and a warm sunny position[, ]. Grows well in sunny and partially shaded places[].
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. The dry, mealy flesh has a sweet flavour[]. The plant has a thick, deep taproot[]. The taproot is up to 25mm in diameter[].

Medicinal

None known

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. Plants can flower in their second year from seed[].
Basal cuttings in spring[].