Adenophora triphylla
{{Short description|Species of flowering plant}}
{{Speciesbox
| image = Adenophora triphylla var. japonica 09.jpg
| genus = Adenophora
| species = triphylla
| authority = (Thunb.) A.DC.{{GRIN | accessdate=28 November 2013}}
| synonyms =
- Adenophora tetraphylla (Thunb.) Fisch. ex B.D.Jacks.
- A. verticillata Fisch.
- A. verticillata var. angustifolia Regel
- A. verticillata var. princeps Korsh.
- Campanula tetraphylla Thunb.
- C. triphylla Thunb. (basionymThe basionym of this plant (Campanula triphylla) was originally described and published in Flora Japonica sistens plantas insularum japonicarum... 87. 1784. {{ cite web |url=http://www.tropicos.org/Name/5501033 |title=Name - Campanula triphylla Thunb. |work=Tropicos |publisher=Missouri Botanical Garden |location=Saint Louis, Missouri |accessdate=28 October 2013}})
}}
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, Japan, and China.{{cite book|last=Natural Products Research Institute|first=Seoul National University|title=Medicinal Plants in the Republic of Korea|year=1998 |publisher=World Health Organization|isbn=92-9061-120-0|page=11}}
Ecology
File:Flowers of Adenophora triphylla.jpg
File:Stem and leaves of Adenophora triphylla.jpg
Adenophora triphylla is an erect, perennial herb growing to {{convert|100|cm}} in height. It has a white and thickened taproot, shaped like a carrot, 7-16 × 1.5-1.8 cm in diameter.{{cite web|last=Flora of China |title=Adenophora tetraphylla |url=http://www.floraofchina.org/content.aspx?TaxonId=200022848 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021065453/http://www.floraofchina.org/content.aspx?TaxonId=200022848 |archivedate=2013-10-21 }} Stems are white pilose with alternately arranged leaves. It has oval, almost round, serrated leaves growing to {{convert|10|cm}} that are white, sharply pointed, and pilose. A. triphylla flowers are about {{convert|13|mm}}-{{convert|22|mm}} long and have both male and female organs (hermaphrodite), 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, {{convert|1|mm}}-{{convert|1.5|mm}}.
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 peaty soil. Plants are hardy to about {{convert|-20|Celsius}}. 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 {{convert|10|Celsius}}. It can be planted out into a permanent positions while young.
Chemical constituents
Adenophora triphylla roots contain chemical compounds that are saponins and triterpenes.{{vague|date=November 2014}}
Traditional medicine
In Korea, A. triphylla is traditionally used for sputum, cough and bronchial catarrh.{{citation needed|date=November 2014}} It is believed to have antifungal, expectorant, and cardiotonic effects.
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q15544951}}
Category:Plants described in 1784