Coptis deltoidea
Family: Ranunculaceae
What it is like
Coptis deltoidea is an evergreen Perennial growing to 0.2 m (0ft 8in). It is in leaf all year, in flower from March to April, and the seeds ripen from April to June. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist or wet soil.
Height (m): 0.2
Where it is found
Damp coniferous woods and bogs. Forests at elevations of 1600 - 2000 metres in W Sichuan.
E. Asia - China.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 0
Medicine
Rating: 2
The root is analgesic, antidote, antipyretic, antiseptic, cholagogue, sedative and vasodilator. It is used in the treatment of diarrhoea, acute enteritis, dysentery, insomnia, fidgets, delirium due to high fever, inflammation of the mouth and tongue, leukaemia, conjunctivitis and otitis media. The root contains berberine which is a broad-spectrum antibacterial, increases the phagocytosis of white blood cells on Staphylococcus aureus, is antihypertensive by dilating the coronary artery and blood vessels of the internal viscera, relaxes the smooth muscles of the blood vessels and excites the smooth muscles of the uterus, bronchi, stomach, intestines and urinary bladder.
Analgesic: Relieves pain.
Antidote: Counters poisoning.
Antipyretic: Treats fevers. See Febrifuge.
Antiseptic: Preventing sepsis, decay or putrefaction, it destroys or arrests the growth of micro-organisms.
Cholagogue: Increases the flow of bile and its discharge from the body.
Dysentery: Used in treating dysentery - an infection of the intestines that causes diarrhoea containing blood or mucus.
Sedative: Gently calms, reducing nervousness, distress and irritation.
Urinary: Treats urinary problems, including urinary tract infection (UTI).
Vasodilator: Widens the blood vessels, thereby reducing blood pressure.
Other
Rating: 3
Can be grown as a ground cover plant in the peat garden.
Ground cover: Ground Cover
How it is grown
We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors in many parts of this country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Succeeds in a light moist humus-rich slightly acidic soil with a northerly aspect or light shade.
Propagating it: Seed - best sown in a greenhouse as soon as it is ripe in an ericaceous compost. Seal the pot in a polythene bag until germination takes place, which is usually within 1 - 6 months at 10°c. Stored seed should be sown as early in the year as possible. Four weeks cold stratification may be beneficial. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow on in a shady part of the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out in mid-autumn or in spring. Division in spring.
Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; Ground Cover; Bog Garden;
Habit: Perennial
Hardiness:
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: Semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Moist, wet
Things to keep in mind
Although no specific mention of toxicity has been found for this species, it belongs to a family that contains many species that are mildly toxic and so it is wise to treat this plant with some caution.