Mountain periwinkle, Milk shen
Codonopsis lanceolata

Family: Campanulaceae

What it is like

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.

There are about 30 Codonopsis species.

Where it is found

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.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, China, Japan, Korea, Mongolia, Russia

How it is used for food

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.

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

Edible parts

Root, rhizome, vegetable

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

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

Synonyms

Campanumoea lanceolata Siebold & Zucc.;