Codonopsis lanceolata

Codonopsis lanceolata, also called deodeok (더덕), todok, or lance asiabell, is a flowering plant native to East Asia (China, Japan, Korea, and the Russian Far East). It is a variety of bonnet bellflower.

Description

A climbing herb. It has milky sap. It keeps growing from year to year. The side branches are short. They are slender and purple. The leaves are crowded at the end of small side shoots. The leaves are oval or sword shaped and 3-10 cm long by 2-4 cm wide. The flowers are purple and creamy-white There are one or two on the leafy small branches. The fruit are flattened capsules 2 cm across.

Edible Uses

The root, which is produced as thick tubers, can be eaten raw or cooked. Young plants can also be eaten raw or cooked. A nutritional analysis of the leaves (dry weight) gives 416 calories per 100g, with 0% water, 12.9g protein, 19.7g fat, 61.2g carbohydrate, 36g fibre, and 6.2g ash. Mineral content per 100g includes 506mg calcium, 680mg phosphorus, and 11.8mg iron. Vitamin content per 100g includes 0.67mg thiamine (B1), 1.24mg riboflavin (B2), and 4.5mg niacin.

Traditional Uses

The large white roots are pounded, washed in salt water and cut into strips. It is then seasoned with sesame oil and soy sauce. They are also cooked with pig feet to prepare a dish. It is also mixed with milk and honey to make a drink.

Medicinal Uses

The root is aphrodisiac, anticancer, depurative, emmenagogue, galactogogue, and tonic. A decoction is used in the treatment of lung abscesses, milk-flow obstruction, amenorrhoea, acute and inflamed boils and abscesses, and lymphadenopathy.

Distribution

It is a temperate climate plant. It grows on hillsides and the edges of forests. It grows between 200-1,500 m above sea level.

Where It Grows

Asia, China, Japan, Korea, Mongolia, Russia,

Propagation

Surface sow seed in spring to early summer in ericaceous compost in a greenhouse, keeping the compost consistently moist. Seed usually germinates in 1–6 weeks at 20°c. Prick seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle and grow on under glass for their first winter. Plant out in late spring or early summer, protecting young plants from slugs until well established. Divide in spring with care, as the plant resents root disturbance. The best approach is to tease small divisions from the sides of the main clump to minimise disturbance, avoiding the need to dig up the whole plant. These divisions should be potted up and kept in light shade in a greenhouse until rooting well, then planted into permanent positions in summer if large enough, or the following spring.

Other Uses

None known Special Uses

Other Information

It is a commercially cultivated vegetable. It is a cultivated food crop sold in stores in Korea.

Notes

There are about 30 Codonopsis species.

Nutrition

Synonyms

Also Known As

Deodeok, Sun orhudai, Todok, Tsuru-ninjin, Yang ru

References (23)

• Bremness, L., 1994, Herbs. Collins Eyewitness Handbooks. Harper Collins. p 278
• Chen, B. & Qiu, Z., Consumer's Attitudes towards Edible Wild Plants, Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan. p 23 www.hindawi.com/journals/ijfr/aip/872413.pdf
• Facciola, S., 1998, Cornucopia 2: a Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, p 70
• Fan, L., et al, The Use of Edible Wild Plants and Fungi in Korean-Chinese Villages. Journal of Environmental Information Science 44-5 p 71-79
• Food Composition Tables for use in East Asia FAO http://www.fao.org/infoods/directory No. 366

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