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Adenophora triphylla

Common name:	Nan Sha Shen	Family:	Campanulaceae
Author:	(Thunb.)A.DC.	Botanical references:	58, 200, 275
Synonyms:	Adenophora tetraphylla ((Thunb.)Fisch. ex B.D.Jacks.)
Known Hazards:	None known
Range:	E. Asia - China, Japan
Habitat:	Grassy places in lowland and mountains, also on woodland edges[187]. In meadows from the lowlands to elevations of 1000 metres[275].
Edibility Rating (1-5):	3	Medicinal Rating (1-5):	1

Other Possible Synonyms:	From various places across the web, may not be correct. See below.
	A. verticillata[G] A. verticillata var. angustifolia[G] A. verticillata var. princeps[G] Campanula tetraphylla[G] Campanula triphylla[G]
Epithets:	From a Dictionary of Botanical Epithets
	adenophora = gland bearing, nectary bearing; triphylla = 3 leaved;
Systematics:	From a USDA Plants Database
	Order: Campanulales. Bellflower family

Physical Characteristics

Perennial growing to 1m. It is hardy to zone 7. It is in flower in September, and the seeds ripen in October. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Insects. We rate it 3/5 for edibility and 1/5 for medicinal use.

The plant prefers light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It requires moist soil.

Habitats and Possible Locations

Meadow, Woodland, Cultivated Beds, Sunny Edge.

Edible Uses

Leaves; Root.

Root - cooked[105, 177]. The root is thick and carrot shaped[275].
Leaves - cooked[105, 177].

Medicinal Uses

Disclaimer

Antifungal; Cardiotonic; Expectorant.

The root is antifungal, carditonic and expectorant[174, 279]. It is used I Korea to treat bronchial catarrh and coughs, especially where there is excess phlegm[279]. The rot has been shown to contain saponins and triterpenes which are responsible for its expectorant action[279].

Other Uses

None known

Cultivation details

Prefers a light rich slightly alkaline soil that is not too dry and a warm sunny position[1, 200]. Prefers a moist peaty soil in sun or partial shade[187].
Plants are hardy to about -20°c[187].
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[275].
This species succeeds in a meadow if the grass is not cut until after the plant flowers[200].
Intolerant of root disturbance[1].
The young growth is extremely attractive to slugs, they have been known to destroy even mature plants[K].

Propagation

Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe[200]. The seed can also be sown in spring. Surface sow 2 - 3 seeds per pot in the spring in order to avoid transplanting[133]. We have found that if transplanted when very small seedlings grow away without difficulty[K]. Germinates in 1 - 3 months at 10°c[133]. Plant out into their permanent positions whilst young.
Basal cuttings in spring[K].
Division in spring - very difficult because the plant dislikes root disturbance[1]..

Suppliers

For more details of plant suppliers please see our Suppliers Page which lists many more places to look.

Web References

[G] Data (Common Names, Uses, Distribution) from the USDA/ARS NPGS's GRIN taxonomic database.
[G] Data (Common Names, Uses, Distribution) from the USDA/ARS NPGS's GRIN taxonomic database.
[HP] Links, Photos, Suppliers from Hortiplex Plant Database

See the PFAF Links Pages for other sources.

Also try Photos and info from the The Plants Database which has 14,000 images.

References

[K] Ken Fern
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.

[1] F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951
Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaces in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).

[58] Ohwi. G. Flora of Japan. (English translation) Smithsonian Institution 1965
The standard work. Brilliant, but not for the casual reader.

[105] Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976
The most comprehensive guide to edible plants I've come across. Only the briefest entry for each species, though, and some of the entries are more than a little dubious. Not for the casual reader.

[133] Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 1. Thompson and Morgan. 1987
Very readable magazine with lots of information on propagation.

[174] Kariyone. T. Atlas of Medicinal Plants.
A good Japanese herbal.

[177] Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984 ISBN 3874292169
An excellent book for the dedicated. A comprehensive listing of latin names with a brief list of edible parts.

[187] Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991 ISBN 0-330-30936-9
Photographs of over 3,000 species and cultivars of ornamental plants together with brief cultivation notes, details of habitat etc.

[200] Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

Readers Comments

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Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future - Species Database. Copyright (c) 1997-2003.
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