Leopard Lily, Blackberry lily, Leopard Flower

Belamcanda chinensis

Physical Characteristics

Belamcanda chinensis is a PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in) by 0.3 m (1ft) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. It is in flower from August to October, and the seeds ripen from September to November. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Distribution

E. Asia - China, Japan, Himalayas.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves Edible Uses: Leaves - cooked[105, 177]. Caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.

Medicinal Uses

Abortifacient Analgesic Antibacterial Antidote Antifungal Antiinflammatory Depurative Expectorant Febrifuge Hepatic Pectoral Purgative Stomachic Tonic The leopard lily has a very long history of use in traditional Chinese medicine. It is a bitter cooling herb that acts mainly on the lungs and the liver, lowering fevers and reducing inflammation[238]. It is effective against a number of bacterial, fungal and viral organisms[238] and has also been used as an antidote to snakebites[240]. The root contains several medically active constituents including flavonoids and isoflavonoids[279]. It also contains the glucosides belamcandin, tectoridin, shekanin and iridin[283]. It is analgesic, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, depurative, expectorant, febrifuge, pectoral, purgative, stomachic and tonic[46, 61, 147, 176, 178, 218, 238, 279, 283]. It is used in the treatment of acute laryngitis, acute tonsillitis, oedema of the glottis and cough with profuse sputum[176, 279]. The juice of the root is used in Nepal to treat liver complaints, where it has the added benefit of improving the appetite[272]. This juice is also used to abort a foetus during the first trimester of pregnancy[272]. The root should not be prescribed for pregnant women[238]. The root is harvested in the summer and autumn, and dried for later use[238].

Known Hazards

The plant is slightly toxic[147].