Platycodon

<h2 id="description">Description</h2>
<p>Growing to 60 cm (24 in) tall by 30 cm (12 in) wide, it is an <a href="/facts/Herbaceous/u6myDhE2">herbaceous</a> <a href="/facts/Perennial/MQ3NvAUW">perennial</a> with dark green leaves and blue flowers in late summer. A notable feature of the plant is the flower bud, which swells like a balloon before fully opening.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:6" href="#fn:6"><sup>6</sup></a> The five petals are fused together into a bell shape at the base, like its relatives, the <a href="/facts/Campanula/AGrz2qvL">campanulas</a>. 
</p>

<h2 id="ecology">Ecology</h2>

<p>Platycodon grandiflorus is a perennial plant which is commonly grown in mountains and fields. It is 40 to 100 centimeters (16 to 39 in) high and has thick roots, and white juice comes out when the stem is cut. Leaves are 5 to 12 centimeters (2.0 to 4.7 in) long, with narrow ends and teeth on the edges.
</p><p>Flowers bloom purple or white in July and August, with one or several running upward at the end of the circle. The flower crown is divided into five branches in the shape of an open bell.
</p><p>It lives throughout Japan, China, and eastern Siberia, including the Korean Peninsula.
</p>
<h2 id="cultivation">Cultivation</h2>

<p>This plant is hardy down to −40 °C (−40 °F), and can be cultivated in USDA zones 3A to 9b. It dies down completely in winter, reappearing in late spring and flowering in summer. However, plants are widely available from nurseries in full flower from April onwards.
</p><p>Though the species has blue flowers, there are varieties with white, pink, and purple blooms.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:7" href="#fn:7"><sup>7</sup></a> In Korea, white flowers are more common. This plant,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:8" href="#fn:8"><sup>8</sup></a> together with its <a href="/facts/Cultivar/nfaLJJM3">cultivars</a> 'Apoyama group'<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:9" href="#fn:9"><sup>9</sup></a> and 'Mariesii',<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:10" href="#fn:10"><sup>10</sup></a> have gained the <a href="/facts/Royal_Horticultural_Society/QrtXmlUo">Royal Horticultural Society</a>'s <a href="/facts/Award_of_Garden_Merit/zQ4Ya8S6">Award of Garden Merit</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:11" href="#fn:11"><sup>11</sup></a>
</p>
<h2 id="uses">Uses</h2>
<h3>Culinary</h3>
<h4>Korea</h4>
<p>In <a href="/facts/Korean_cuisine/1LwXkYTw">Korea</a>, the plant as well as its root are referred to as <i>doraji</i> (도라지). The root, fresh or dried, is one of the most common <i><a href="/facts/Namul/QXrxfHtR">namul</a></i> vegetables. It is also one of the most frequent ingredients in <a href="/facts/Bibimbap/2vvIM8UH">bibimbap</a>. Sometimes, rice is cooked with balloon flower root to make <i>doraji-<a href="/facts/Bap_(food)/SXoXbFWH">bap</a></i>. Preparation of the root always involves soaking and washing (usually rubbing it with <a href="/facts/Korean_sea_salt/gy9UHM8u">coarse sea salt</a> and rinsing it multiple times), which gets rid of the bitter taste.
</p><p>The root is also used to make desserts, such as <i>doraji-<a href="/facts/Jeonggwa/2LsNqoll">jeonggwa</a></i>. Syrup made from the root, called <i>doraji-<a href="/facts/Cheong_(food)/wWhhTjFW">cheong</a></i> (balloon flower root honey), can be used to make <i>doraji-<a href="/facts/Korean_tea/s3wfFIXc">cha</a></i> (balloon flower root tea). The root can be used to <a href="/facts/Infused_liquor/IxCHFX1f">infuse liquor</a> called <i>doraji-<a href="/facts/Korean_alcoholic_beverages/cVAxIC4z">sul</a></i>, typically using distilled <a href="/facts/Soju/l5qTkdXm">soju</a> or other unflavored <a href="/facts/Hard_alcohol/azoTp1Mq">hard alcohol</a> that has an <a href="/facts/Alcohol_by_volume/FeFdzl8v">ABV</a> higher than 30% as a base.
</p><p>In addition, other ingredients include calcium, fiber, iron, minerals, proteins and vitamins.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:12" href="#fn:12"><sup>12</sup></a>
</p>

<h3>Medicinal</h3>

<p>The extracts and purified platycoside compounds (<a href="/facts/Saponins/0cqUdnJM">saponins</a>) from the roots of <i>Platycodon grandiflorum</i> may exhibit neuroprotective, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-allergy, improved insulin resistance, and cholesterol-lowering properties.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:13" href="#fn:13"><sup>13</sup></a> Evidence for these potential effects was mainly observed <a href="/facts/In_vitro/evp3hAX6">in vitro</a>, with the exception of cholesterol lowering effects documented <a href="/facts/In_vitro/evp3hAX6">in vitro</a> and in rats. The lack of efficacy and limited safety data in humans, however, necessitate further research.
</p>
<h4>China</h4>
<p>The Chinese bellflower (called 桔梗 in Chinese) is also used in <a href="/facts/Chinese_herbology/JF2XKnhH">traditional Chinese medicine</a>.
</p><p>In China, they are used as a <a href="/facts/Cough_suppressant/2Qe0AjMx">cough suppressant</a> and <a href="/facts/Expectorant/rw9veqmh">expectorant</a> for <a href="/facts/Common_colds/fP9A03U9">common colds</a>, <a href="/facts/Cough/mqyhR6zj">cough</a>, <a href="/facts/Sore_throat/00WHEyla">sore throat</a>, <a href="/facts/Tonsillitis/6mJof49G">tonsillitis</a>, and chest congestion.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:14" href="#fn:14"><sup>14</sup></a>
</p>
<h4>Korea</h4>
<p>In Korea, the roots are commonly used for treating bronchitis, asthma, tuberculosis, diabetes, and other inflammatory diseases.
</p>
<h3>Cultural</h3>
<h4>Japan</h4>
<p>The bellflower is called <i>kikyō</i> (桔梗) in Japanese. Traditionally, it is one of the <a href="/facts/Nanakusa-no-sekku/HsjfD1hC">Seven Autumn Flowers</a>. In addition, the "Bellflower Seal" (桔梗紋, <i>kikyōmon</i>) is the crest (<i><a href="/facts/Mon_(emblem)/2qgwsPW1">kamon</a></i>) of some clans. 
</p>

<h4>Korea</h4>
<p class="note">Main article: <a href="/facts/Doraji_taryeong/ethVp0US">Doraji taryeong</a></p>
<p><i>Doraji taryeong</i> (<a href="/facts/Korean_language/dmNnRxAA">Korean</a>: 도라지타령) is one of the most popular folk songs in both <a href="/facts/North_Korea/Q41laakP">North</a> and <a href="/facts/South_Korea/pCobAaVw">South Korea</a>, and in <a href="/facts/China/lTjIXY5p">China</a> among the <a href="/facts/Koreans_in_China/CbQytA8l">ethnic Koreans</a>. It is also a well known song in <a href="/facts/Japan/U5mz0SRT">Japan</a>, by the name <i>Toraji</i> (<a href="/facts/Japanese_language/EEv485a5">Japanese</a>: トラジ).<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:15" href="#fn:15"><sup>15</sup></a>
</p><p>It is a folk song originated from <a href="/facts/Ullyul_County/KuFfWRQV">Eunyul</a> in <a href="/facts/Hwanghae_Province/wL0D97Wv">Hwanghae Province</a>. However, the currently sung version is classified as a Gyeonggi minyo (<a href="/facts/Gyeonggi_Province/peCmptGz">Gyeonggi Province</a> folk song), as the rhythm and the melody have changed to acquire those characteristics.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:16" href="#fn:16"><sup>16</sup></a>
</p>

<h2 id="external-links">External links</h2>

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Platycodon grandiflorus.

<ul><li><a href="http://www.robsplants.com/plants/PlatyGrand.php"><i>Platycodon grandiflorus</i> at Robsplants</a></li>
<li><a href="https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Platycodon+grandiflorus">"Platycodon grandiflorus"</a>. <i><a href="/facts/Plants_for_a_Future/SfIWAPrk">Plants for a Future</a></i>.</li></ul>

<h2 id="references">References</h2>

<ol>
<li id="fn:1"><p>Hong, Deyuan; Klein, Laura L.; Lammers, Thomas G. "Platycodon grandiflorus". Flora of China. Vol. 19 – via eFloras.org, Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA. <a href="http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=200022990" target="_blank">http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=200022990</a> <a href="#fnref:1" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li>
<li id="fn:2"><p>"Platycodon grandiflorus". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 13 July 2018. <a href="https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/taxonomydetail.aspx?id=28819" target="_blank">https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/taxonomydetail.aspx?id=28819</a> <a href="#fnref:2" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li>
<li id="fn:3"><p>English Names for Korean Native Plants (PDF). Pocheon: Korea National Arboretum. 2015. p. 578. ISBN 978-89-97450-98-5. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 May 2017. Retrieved 6 January 2017 – via Korea Forest Service. <a href="978-89-97450-98-5" target="_blank">978-89-97450-98-5</a> <a href="#fnref:3" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li>
<li id="fn:4"><p>"Platycodon grandiflorus". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 13 July 2018. <a href="https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/taxonomydetail.aspx?id=28819" target="_blank">https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/taxonomydetail.aspx?id=28819</a> <a href="#fnref:4" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li>
<li id="fn:5"><p>"Platycodon grandiflorus". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 13 July 2018. <a href="https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/taxonomydetail.aspx?id=28819" target="_blank">https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/taxonomydetail.aspx?id=28819</a> <a href="#fnref:5" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li>
<li id="fn:6"><p>"Balloon Flower (Platycodon grandiflorus) › Balloon Flower". <a href="http://platycodon.net/" target="_blank">http://platycodon.net/</a> <a href="#fnref:6" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li>
<li id="fn:7"><p>RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants. United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. 2008. p. 1136. ISBN 978-1405332965. <a href="978-1405332965" target="_blank">978-1405332965</a> <a href="#fnref:7" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li>
<li id="fn:8"><p>"RHS Plant Selector - Platycodon grandiflorus". Retrieved 6 February 2021. <a href="https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/13246/Platycodon-grandiflorus/Details" target="_blank">https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/13246/Platycodon-grandiflorus/Details</a> <a href="#fnref:8" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li>
<li id="fn:9"><p>"RHS Plant Selector – Platycodon grandiflorus 'Apoyama group'". Retrieved 6 February 2021. <a href="https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/243408/Platycodon-grandiflorus-Apoyama-Group/Details" target="_blank">https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/243408/Platycodon-grandiflorus-Apoyama-Group/Details</a> <a href="#fnref:9" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li>
<li id="fn:10"><p>"RHS Plant Selector – Platycodon grandiflorus 'Mariesii'". Retrieved 6 February 2021. <a href="https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/98942/Platycodon-grandiflorus-Mariesii/Details" target="_blank">https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/98942/Platycodon-grandiflorus-Mariesii/Details</a> <a href="#fnref:10" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li>
<li id="fn:11"><p>"AGM Plants – Ornamental" (PDF). Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. p. 79. Retrieved 2 May 2018. <a href="https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/pdfs/agm-lists/agm-ornamentals.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/pdfs/agm-lists/agm-ornamentals.pdf</a> <a href="#fnref:11" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li>
<li id="fn:12"><p>"[제철 힐링푸드] 기관지·폐에 특효 '도라지'". 천지일보 (in Korean). 2015-12-09. Retrieved 2019-04-19. <a href="http://www.newscj.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=322178" target="_blank">http://www.newscj.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=322178</a> <a href="#fnref:12" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li>
<li id="fn:13"><p>Nyakudya E.; Jeong JH.; Lee NK.; Jeong YS. (2014) “Platycosides from the Roots of Platycodon grandiflorum and Their Health Benefits.” Preventative Nutrition and Food Science 19 (2): 59–68. PMID 25054103. <a href="/wiki/PMID_(identifier)" target="_blank">/wiki/PMID_(identifier)</a> <a href="#fnref:13" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li>
<li id="fn:14"><p>Nyakudya E.; Jeong JH.; Lee NK.; Jeong YS. (2014) “Platycosides from the Roots of Platycodon grandiflorum and Their Health Benefits.” Preventative Nutrition and Food Science 19 (2): 59–68. PMID 25054103. <a href="/wiki/PMID_(identifier)" target="_blank">/wiki/PMID_(identifier)</a> <a href="#fnref:14" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li>
<li id="fn:15"><p>Atkins, E. Taylor (2010). Primitive Selves: Koreana in the Japanese Colonial Gaze, 1910‒1945. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press. pp. 163–164. ISBN 9780520266742. well-known Korean folk melody, "Toraji T'aryŏng" (known simply as "Toraji" in Japanese) <a href="9780520266742" target="_blank">9780520266742</a> <a href="#fnref:15" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li>
<li id="fn:16"><p>Han, Manyǒng. "도라지타령" [Doraji taryeong]. Encyclopedia of Korean Culture (in Korean). Academy of Korean Studies. Retrieved 7 January 2017. <a href="http://encykorea.aks.ac.kr/Contents/Index?contents_id=E0015578" target="_blank">http://encykorea.aks.ac.kr/Contents/Index?contents_id=E0015578</a> <a href="#fnref:16" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li>
</ol>

Platycodon open-in-new

Platycodon