''Adenophora triphylla'', also known as Japanese lady bell, is one of the 62 species of '' Adenophora''. It is a flowering plant in the family Campanulaceae that is distributed mainly over the

Korean Peninsula Korea ( ko, 한국, or , ) is a peninsular region in East Asia. Since 1945, it has been divided at or near the 38th parallel, with North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) comprising its northern half and South Korea (Republic ...

, Japan, and China.

Ecology

''Adenophora triphylla'' is an erect, perennial herb growing to in height. It has a white and thickened

taproot A taproot is a large, central, and dominant root from which other roots sprout laterally. Typically a taproot is somewhat straight and very thick, is tapering in shape, and grows directly downward. In some plants, such as the carrot, the taproo ...

, shaped like a carrot, 7-16 × 1.5-1.8 cm in diameter. Stems are white pilose with alternately arranged leaves. It has oval, almost round, serrated leaves growing to that are white, sharply pointed, and pilose. ''A. triphylla'' flowers are about - long and have both male and female organs (

hermaphrodite In reproductive biology, a hermaphrodite () is an organism that has both kinds of reproductive organs and can produce both gametes associated with male and female sexes. Many taxonomic groups of animals (mostly invertebrates) do not have ...

), each having 5 stamens and a pistil (the long head of the pistil overhangs the flower). Flowers are pollinated by insects. Seeds are yellow-brown colored and oblong slightly compressed, -. * Habitat: Grassy areas in lowlands and mountains. * Suitable for: Grassy places in lowland and mountain with loamy soils. * Distribution: Korea, Japan, China, Laos,

Russia Russia (, , ), or the Russian Federation, is a transcontinental country spanning Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. It is the largest country in the world, with its internationally recognised territory covering , and encompassing one-eigh ...

(

Far East The ''Far East'' was a European term to refer to the geographical regions that includes East and Southeast Asia as well as the Russian Far East to a lesser extent. South Asia is sometimes also included for economic and cultural reasons. The te ...

, Eastern

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Cultivation details

''Adenophora triphylla'' grows well in a warm and sunny or slightly shaded niche, but cannot grow in full shade; ''A. triphylla'' needs alkaline soil that is slightly moisturized, or

peat Peat (), also known as turf (), is an accumulation of partially decayed vegetation or organic matter. It is unique to natural areas called peatlands, bogs, mires, moors, or muskegs. The peatland ecosystem covers and is the most efficien ...

y soil. Plants are hardy to about . Slugs have been known to destroy its young growth or even mature plants.

Propagation

''Adenophora triphylla'' grows wild in mountains and meadows, but is also cultivated. The seed can be sown in spring and germinates in 1–3 months. At that time, it needs a temperature of about . It can be planted out into a permanent positions while young.

Chemical constituents

''Adenophora triphylla'' roots contain chemical compounds that are

saponin Saponins (Latin "sapon", soap + "-in", one of), also selectively referred to as triterpene glycosides, are bitter-tasting usually toxic plant-derived organic chemicals that have a foamy quality when agitated in water. They are widely distributed ...

s and

triterpene Triterpenes are a class of chemical compounds composed of three terpene units with the molecular formula C30H48; they may also be thought of as consisting of six isoprene units. Animals, plants and fungi all produce triterpenes, including squal ...

Traditional medicine

In Korea, ''A. triphylla'' is traditionally used for

sputum Sputum is mucus that is coughed up from the lower airways (the trachea and bronchi). In medicine, sputum samples are usually used for a naked eye examination, microbiological investigation of respiratory infections and cytological investigation ...

cough A cough is a sudden expulsion of air through the large breathing passages that can help clear them of fluids, irritants, foreign particles and microbes. As a protective reflex, coughing can be repetitive with the cough reflex following three ph ...

and bronchial

catarrh Catarrh is an exudate of inflamed mucous membranes in one of the airways or cavities of the body, usually with reference to the throat and paranasal sinuses. It can result in a thick exudate of mucus and white blood cells caused by the swellin ...

. It is believed to have antifungal, expectorant, and cardiotonic effects.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q15544951 Campanuloideae Plants described in 1784 Medicinal plants of Asia Edible plants