National Council for The Conservation of Plants and Gardens
National Collection of the Genus Codonopsis and Allied Genera
Codonopsis pilosula ssp pilosula
In our early years of growing Codonopsis this twining climber occurred quite frequently masquerading as Cc tangshen, rotundifolia amongst others. We grew it in the open garden for many years before a series of cold winters killed it (we think) and have struggled to get it established again. It is not particularly striking with rather dingy cream flowers with a purplish sheen giving quite a shiny appearance. We have grown both green and dark red stemmed varieties.
The seeds are medium sized and dark brown and the tuber carrot shaped.
Northern China
©Mike Ireland
©Mike Ireland
©Bob Armstrong