Description
JIE GENG • Radix Platycodi
Chinese name | 桔梗 |
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English Name | Platycodon Root |
Weight | 100g |
JIE GENG • Radix Platycodi , Platycodon Root Origin:
Platycodon root is the root of the perennial plant Platycodon grandiflorus (Jacq.) A. DC., of the family Campanulaceae. Native to east Asia, the plant is grown on grassy slopes in hills and mountains in China, Japan, Korea and Indochina; and has naturalized in Europe and America. The plant grows to about 0.7 m by 0.4 m. It is in flower from July to August, and the seeds ripen from August to September. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs). The plant can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It requires moist soil.
In China, platycodon is distributed in most areas, with Northeast and North China give larger yields of this plant than other areas. The plants found in East China is of the best quality. The root of plants 2 – 3 years old are harvested in spring or autumn. The fibrous roots are removed from the root, then the skin or leaves are peeled off, the root is sliced and dried in the sun for use when raw. Also called Balloon Flower Root and Chinese Bellflower Root.