The flower of Codonopsis clematidea
The charming bells of Codonopsis clematidea create a whimsical fairy scene. Its common names include clematis bonnet bellflower and Asian bellflower.
Clematis bonnet bellflower (note, not a true clematis) is natively distributed in central Asia, including countries such as Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Pakistan and India. This herbaceous perennial grows in mountainous regions at altitudes from 1700-2500m (5600 to 8200 ft.), particularly along ravines and streams.
A tuberous, thick-rooted plant, Asian bellflower may grow to have a spread of 50-60cm (2 ft.) and a height of 30-60cm (1-2 ft.). The flowers are strongly scented (as are the leaves when crushed), though the fragrance is described as “unpleasant and peculiar”, or skunk-like. In summer, the single bell blooms at the end of the flowering stem. A peek inside the pale blue bells reveals an intricate pattern of rings, often some mix of orange, purple, and green; to see these, visit Codonopsis clematidea via Flowers of India (click on More Images) or see Marijn van den Brink’s photos from Pakistan.
Apologies all, being sick knocked me out for almost two weeks (seems to last longer as I get older?). And between that absence from work and my upcoming vacation, I don’t think we’ll get back to regular postings until April. Sorry 🙁
Forgiven you are, Daniel. Please be well soon enough to enjoy your vacation. Looking forward to
April, your posts are always enjoyed.
Yes, forgiven! DOn’t worry, get better and take care.
Have a great holiday, Daniel.
Bruce
I’m glad you are feeling better. Another interesting post to study here. Enjoy your vacation.
I look forward to your return in April.
If what I had worked its way north from Portland, I don’t think it had a lot to do with age. It was just nasty. It’s given a lot of folks pneumonia here and I ended up with bronchitis for weeks and sought medical assistance. It was bad.
Hope you’re completely over it.
Almost, almost.
I get it! I had the flu for the first time this year. Needless to say, nest year, i’m getting the vaccine! Get well, catch up and…. we’ll see you in the Spring (which could be July at this rate!)
Sorry to hear you have been ill Daniel and hope you are well on your way to recovery.
All good wishes for a splendid vacation. Hopefully Spring will be with us when you return.
Cheers, Judy
It was a wonderful surprise waking up to your email. I always consider them a gift. I’m relieved you’re better. May you be completely healthy in time for your vacation. I’ll be waiting, patiently, for your emails whenever you have the time. Thank you for using your time to put these out.
I appreciate your hauling yourself out of bed to provide us with another stunning plant to learn about. Glad you’re on the mend from this really bad “something” that has been going around. Enjoy your well-deserved upcomming vacation. Might there be some plant viewing involved? 😉 Lynne
Spectacular plant.
Though not one of the sources of the major commercial and international trade in dăng shēn this species is used locally where it grows in Tibet and Xinjiang. It is called 新疆党参 xīn jiāng dăng shēn.
The roots of many different species of Codonopsis are used as dăng shēn in Traditional Chinese Medicine for various medicinal actions, including being a tonic for the lungs. However, I would suggest a good strong curry as the best medicine for lung infections.
Yes – it is in fact more than just a lung remedy and is sometimes called “poor man’s ginseng” because it shares many properties with ginseng and yet is much more affordable. I also grow it in my garden and it is quite pretty (New York state, USA).
Should have specified I grow C.pilosula which is the more commonly used medicinal dang shen. Less colorful on the interior of the corolla than this species, which I have seen in botanical gardens.
I used to grow this plant and, yes, it is attractive, but describing the smell as “unpleasant and peculiar” is generous. If you have ever stepped in what a dog left behind, you can imagine it quite well. I wasn’t sorry that it was short-lived for me.
Daniel, I hope you are going somewhere warm and sunny, and will return re-invigorated.
That sounds foul!
Always miss them.
No apologies needed. Look forward to new postings as they come. Hope you’re fully recovered and can enjoy your vacation.
Does anyone see the irony of Daniel suffering through a congestive flu while posting the photos of a Chinese cure for flu-like congestion symptoms? Take this photograph in a hot cup of water and . . .
Get well.
Lee
I got some seeds of codenopsis from a fellow member of the Dartmouth Horticultural Society. They having been growing very well here in pots on my deck. I now wish to transplant them into the garden. Question: Are they cut back to the ground in fall (or spring, depending on the gardener) or do they continue to grow from this year’s branches. Thanks.