Chinese Bellflower

Platycodon grandiflorus is the only species of its genus, a herbaceous perennial of the bellflower family native to China, Korea, Japan and the Russian Far East. It is commonly called balloon flower, after its balloon-shaped flower buds, or Chinese bellflower. It grows 40 to 100 centimetres tall, with thick roots that give off white juice when cut, dark green leaves, and blue, purple or white bell-shaped flowers in summer. It is hardy to about minus 40 degrees Celsius. In Korea the plant and its root are called doraji, and the root, fresh or dried, is a common namul vegetable and an ingredient in bibimbap, after soaking and rubbing with coarse salt to remove the bitterness. It is also made into desserts, syrup, tea and liquor. In traditional Chinese medicine, the root is used as a cough suppressant and expectorant for colds, sore throat and chest congestion. In Japan it is the kikyō, one of the Seven Autumn Flowers, and its form is the bellflower crest of several clans.