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Campanula takesimana - Nakai.

Korean Bellflower

Author	Nakai.	Botanical references
Family	Campanulaceae	Genus	Campanula
Synonyms
Known Hazards	None known
Range	E. Asia - Korea.
Habitat	Not known
Edibility Rating	4 (1-5)	Medicinal Rating	0 (1-5)

Physical Characteristics

Perennial growing to 0.5m by 0.45m.

The plant prefers light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and requires well-drained soil. The plant prefers neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It requires moist soil.

Habitats

Woodland Garden; Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Flowers; Leaves; Root.

Leaves - raw or cooked[K]. A mild flavour with a subtle sweetness, especially in the spring and early summer they taste just like lettuce and are a pleasant addition to mixed salads[K]. In the height of summer, the leaves often develop a slightly bitter flavour, especially if the plant is growing in a sunny position[K]. Flowers - raw. Beautiful to look at, the flowers have a delicate sweetness and are a pleasant addition to salads[K]. Roots - raw, cooked or dried for later use. Known as 'do-ra-jee' in Korea, where they are eaten as a delicacy. The roots are a bit small and fiddly to utilize, though they are said to have a simply delicious flavour.

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.

None known

Other Uses

None known

Cultivation details

Prefers a moist but well-drained rich sandy loam and a neutral or alkaline soil in sun or partial shade[1, 200]. Succeeds in most well-drained soils[233]. The species in this genus do not often hybridize and so seed can generally be relied upon to come true[221]. The plants are self-fertile[221]. This species is closely related to C. punctata[233, 271]. The plant spreads freely at the roots and can become rampant in lighter soils, though it is easily controlled by hoeing (or eating!)[233, 271, K]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[233].

Propagation

Seed - surface sow May/June in situ. The seed usually germinates in 2 - 4 weeks at 18°c[138]. If the seed is in short supply it would be best to sow it in pots in a cold frame in the spring. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a cold frame for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division in spring. Very easy, larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer or following spring.

Cultivars

'Elizabeth'

A form selected for its rich maroon flowers and still deeper maroon markings inside the flowers, it grows well in the garden[271].

Links

This plant is also mentioned in the following PFAF articles: The Potted Garden.

References

[K] Ken Fern
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.

[1] F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951
Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaces in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).

[138] Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 3. Thompson and Morgan. 1989
Very readable magazine with lots of information on propagation.

[200] Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

[221] Crook. H. Clifford. Campanulas - their cultivation and classification. Country Life 1951
The most comprehensive treatment of the genus yet written (2002).

[233] Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990 ISBN 0 460 86048 8
A concise guide to a wide range of perennials. Lots of cultivation guides, very little on plant uses.

[271] Lewis. P. & Lynch. M. Campanulas - A Gardener's Guide. B. T. Batsford. London. 1998 ISBN 0-7134-8266-4
Very readable account of almost 150 members of the genus, together with their hybrids and cultivars, that are more commonly grown in gardens. Excellent photographs of many of the species.

Readers Comments

Plants for a Future does not verify the accuracy of reader comments, use at your own risk. In particular Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. You should always consult a professional before using plants medicinally.

Campanula takesimana

Robert Tue Jan 14 04:45:38 2003

The roots of the Korean Belflower are absolutely delicious! In Korea, they are a delicacy. They can be eaten fresh or dried and have a simply delicious flavour. Koreans call them "do-ra-jee".

Campanula takesimana

Jake Mon Sep 8 2008

Just a note, Wikipedia says that Doraji doesn't come from this plant but from Chinese Bellflower, Platycodon grandiflorus, I have zero idea of whether this is true or not, but they maintain it is a common error. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_bellflower http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Campanula_takesimana

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