Codonopsis lanceolata

Codonopsis lanceolata is a hardy perennial climber that grows up to 4.5m tall. It has bell-shaped flowers that are purple inside. File:Codonopsis lanceolata (seeds).jpg|Seeds File:Deodeok.png|Roots ==Cultivation==

Codonopsis lanceolata grows in moist areas in woodland on low hills or mountains at an elevation of 2001600m. The plant grows best in light and medium-well drained soils with plenty of moisture with a neutral to semi-acidic pH and in full sun to semi-shade. It will grow to a height of high, blooming in late summer, but it dies back each winter. Many South Koreans also grow a small amount in personal gardens. ==Uses==

Culinary Korea The roots of Codonopsis lanceolata, deodeok () in Korean, are used in Korean cuisine. They are eaten both fresh and cooked. The plant's roots have been described as having similar texture to celery root, though the flavor is different. Grilled deodeok marinated in gochujang, called deodeok-gui (), is served as a vegetarian main dish. Deodeok can be pan-fried as jeon, pickled as kimchi, or used in fusion dishes such as salads. They can also be made into alcohol, called deodeokju (), traditionally home-brewed and used for medicinal purposes. Deodeok is also known as sasam () which means 'sand ginseng', a herb also used in traditional Korean medicine. File:Deodeok (Codonopsis lanceolata).jpg|Washed and peeled deodeok File:Deodeok (Codonopsis lanceolata) gui.jpg|Deodeok-gui (grilled deodeok) File:Deodeok yuja salad.jpg|Deodeok salad with yuja dressing File:Deodeok kimchi (Codonopsis lanceolata).jpg|Deodeok-kimchi Medicinal Codonopsis lanceolata is used in Korean and Chinese traditional medicine, as have several other plants in the same genus, likely due to varying concentrations of polyacetylenes, phenylpropanoids, alkaloids, triterpenoids and polysaccharides in the plants' roots. Codonopsis lanceolata in particular has been used to treat bronchitis, asthma, cough, tuberculosis, dyspepsia and psychoneurosis. It has also been thought to have anti-cancer properties. == Etymology ==

The specific epithet of lanceolata refers to the plant's lance-shaped leaves. The genus name, Codonopsis, is derived from the Greek κώδων (kodon) "bell" and ὄψις (opsis) "eye, to see", referring to the shape of the petals of the flower. ==References==