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Common Name:

General Information

Coptis deltoidea is a Evergreen Perennial up to 0.20 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and source of materials..

Known Hazards

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.

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - China.

Habitat

Damp coniferous woods and bogs[]. Forests at elevations of 1600 - 2000 metres in W Sichuan[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Evergreen Perennial
Height	0.20 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors in many parts of this country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus.
Succeeds in a light moist humus-rich slightly acidic soil with a northerly aspect or light shade[, ].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The root is analgesic, antidote, antipyretic, antiseptic, cholagogue, sedative and vasodilator[]. It is used in the treatment of diarrhoea, acute enteritis, dysentery, insomnia, fidgets, delirium due to high fever, inflammation of the mouth and tongue, leukaemia, conjunctivitis and otitis media[].
The root contains berberine which is a broad-spectrum antibacterial, increases the phagocytosis of white blood cells on Staphylococcus aureus, is antihypertensive by dilating the coronary artery and blood vessels of the internal viscera, relaxes the smooth muscles of the blood vessels and excites the smooth muscles of the uterus, bronchi, stomach, intestines and urinary bladder[].

Other Uses

Can be grown as a ground cover plant in the peat garden[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown in a greenhouse as soon as it is ripe in an ericaceous compost[]. Seal the pot in a polythene bag until germination takes place, which is usually within 1 - 6 months at 10°c[]. Stored seed should be sown as early in the year as possible. Four weeks cold stratification may be beneficial[]. 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[].