Balloon-flower
| Balloon-flower |
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| Scientific Classification |
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| Species |
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Platycodon grandiflorus |
The balloon flower is a species of platycodon. It is native to East Asia but it is also grown in the western part of the world. Its name comes from the way it blooms like a balloon. It is called a bell flower when the flower head is closed and it looks like a bell. After it blooms, it looks like a star. This is one reason why this flower is used as an ornament. It is known as one of the easiest flowers to grow. The violet color of the flower is attractive. The balloon flower's root is used for medicine in Asia. It is good for your throat, allergies, and is soothing to your lungs. [2]
Body Design
The balloon flower is native to Asian regions like China, eastern Siberia and Korea. It mostly grows from 18 inches to 24 inches. The leaves are elliptic and spear like with bluish green color and neatly toothed. These leafages open late in the spring and in the summer, flowers open. Before it is opened, it is shaped like a bell but after it blooms it starts to look more like a balloon. So we call it bell flower or balloon flower. [3] Some say that it blooms like a star. It spread from 12 to 18 inches and the head of the flower is not too big, it’s medium. The flower is grayish blue or blue violet.But it also could be ivory or white too. [4]
Due to its beautiful appearance, it is used for ornamental purposes and is a popular garden plant. The balloon flower is not only found in Asia though, there are various kinds of balloon flowers such as American bellflowers. American bellflowers are considered to be the tallest among all kinds of balloon flowers. That means it grows better than other kinds of the balloon flowers. So sometimes this plant is called “Tall Bellflower”. This American bellflower has big leaves and the flower head is well organized in a row. It has a lighter violet color than other balloon flowers. [5]
Life Cycle
The balloon flowers sprouts from the soil in late spring and bloom in mid to late summer.They grow in climate sunset zones. In early summer, the balloon-shaped buds soon open to a star-shaped bell. The flower bloom facing up throughout the summer and into early fall in colors of blue, pink, and white. They form a low, neat mound and bear 2 to 3 in. of blossoms with delicate purple veins and yellow stamens. The clumps grow 1 to 3 ft tall and up to 2 ft wide. Balloon flowers are long-lived in ideal conditions. [6]
Ecology
The balloon flower is native to China, eastern Siberia, Japan and some other Asian countries so it is also known as Chinese bell flower. It usually grows well in light, not too much moisture, and well drained loam. It likes slightly acidic soil and although the balloon flower plant will tolerate dry conditions, it still needs moisture. But they are easy to grow in other conditions too. The American bell flower is from Ontario to Minnesota and south to Florida. [7]
The American bell flower is from Ontario to Minnesota and south to Florida. They live in moist to slightly dry deciduous woodlands, woodland borders, and thickets. They are often found along woodland paths, and appears to prefer slightly disturbed areas. [8] Brooksville bell flower is an annual herb that is first found in the Chinesgut hill. They could be found along the edges of ponds near pastureland. The number of plants vary depending on water levels.[9]
Uses
Balloon flower is used as an ornament but it is well known for marinade. The root of the balloon flower is known as toxic but it is actually good for your lungs and throat. During spring and autumn people pick the root and eat it raw or cook it in salad or traditional cuisine. This plant helps to recover ill like tonsillitis, cough, phlegm, or cold. The saponin in the root protects bronchium really well. This plant is good for respiratory diseases so if you eat balloon flower root when you have too much phlegm coming out, it reduces. Also it strengthens level of immunity which prevents cancer because of inulin. And it provides various nutrition. In the root, there is protein, calcium, fiber, vitamin etc. So it is good for fatigue recovery and maintaining strength. [10]
Scientist researched about this plant and they recently, they found out that the root killed a liver fluke and decreased bad and increased good cholesterol rates. So it prevents obesity, hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, diabetes and hyperlipidemia.It grows in the wild so in the past, the whole part out the balloon flower was used as medicine. You can even drink this flower as a tea but for the best result, you should eat it as it is. A Korean study found that the flower's root is really good for treating allergies. This plant releases cough but it shouldn't be used to those who cough up blood. It shouldn't be used as medicine for a chronic cough. But it is good for loss voice.[11]
Video
This is a short video about balloon flower
Gallery
American bell flower
(campanulastrum americanum)
Campanulastrum
Creeping bellflower
( campanula rapunculoides)
Campanula rapunculoides
Chinese bellflower
(platycodon grandiflorus)
Platycodon A. DC.
References
- ↑ Author Unknown. Platycodon classification USDA. Web. accessed on 2013-06-02.
- ↑ Author unknown. Chinese bellflower Garden guides. Web. Accessed on 2013-05-27.
- ↑ Author unknown. [1] Botany. Web. Accessed on 2013-05-15.
- ↑ Author unknown. Platycodon grandiflorus ‘Fuji White' Perennials. Web. Accessed on 2013-05-15.
- ↑ Author unknown. [2] Agro products. Web. Accessed on 2013-05-15.
- ↑ Dean,Kay. How to Care for a Platycodon Plant SFGate. Web. accessed on 2013-05-27.
- ↑ Author, name unknown. Balloon flower Adam's garden. Web. accessed on 2013-05-26.
- ↑ Author, name unknown. American Bell flower Woodland Wildflowers of Illinois. Web. accessed on 2013-05-26.
- ↑ Author, name unknown. Brooksville bellflower North Florida Ecological Services Office. Web. accessed on 2013-05-26.
- ↑ Authorunknown.Bell flowerRoot. Web. Accessed on 2013-05-19.
- ↑ The herbal resources. Balloon flower The herbal resources. Web. accessed on 2013-05-19.
