Coptis deltoidea -

Family:	Ranunculaceae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	0.2
Synonyms:
Range:	E. Asia - China.

Coptis deltoidea () is a Perennial which grows to a height of 0.2m . It has a hardness rating of 0.
Coptis deltoidea will flower in September to October. the seeds ripen from October to December
The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by Insects

Soil Information

Coptis deltoidea will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is not necessary for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
Coptis deltoidea prefers soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Coptis deltoidea can grow in semi or areas with no shade.

Damp coniferous woods and bogs[200].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Grows within a woodland garden
• Works within dappled Shade
• Grows in a shady edge
• Can spread to cover ground and will out compete weeds
• A bog garden plant

Cultivation Details

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[1, 200].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 0/5
None known

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 2/5
The root is analgesic, antidote, antipyretic, antiseptic, cholagogue, sedative and vasodilator[176]. 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[176]. 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[176].

• 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.
• Sedative - Gently calms, reducing nervousness, distress and irritation.
• Vasodilator - Widens the blood vessels, thereby reducing blood pressure.

Propagation

Seed - best sown in a greenhouse as soon as it is ripe in an ericaceous compost[164]. Seal the pot in a polythene bag until germination takes place, which is usually within 1 - 6 months at 10°c[164]. Stored seed should be sown as early in the year as possible. Four weeks cold stratification may be beneficial[164]. 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[200].

Known Hazards

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.

Other Uses

Can be grown as a ground cover plant in the peat garden[200].

• Ground cover - Usually low growing plants that can be grown with other plants, especially shrubs and trees, to prevent the growth of weeds.

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

Flora of China

Author:
Rating: http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
Publisher : On-line version of the Flora - an excellent resource giving basic info on habitat and some uses.
Date of Publication : 1994

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