Balloon Flower (Platycodon grandiflorus)

Family: Campanulaceae | Edibility: Edible (2/5)

Bloom Color: Blue. Main Bloom Time: Late summer, Mid summer. Form: Upright or erect.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Leaves, Roots/Tubers

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Late Summer, Spring, Winter

Flavor & Culinary Uses

flavouring. — Young leaves - cooked.; The radical leaves are said to be slightly toxic so only the top leaves should be used.; Old leaves are powdered and used as a flavouring.; Eaten in soups as a tonic vegetable.

Habitat & North American Range

Grassy slopes in hills and mountains all over Japan. (Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9)