I have now been able to locate and obtain the correct Codonopsis tangshen. It came as an unamed species from Dan Hinkley's Heronswood Nursery at Kingston WA in the USA. The plants were raised from seed collected in N.W.Szechuan in 1997 under the collection number EDHCH97334.

The two tubers survived the journey to the UK and although they are still young plants mine flowered this year and the inferior calyx which distinguishes this species was most evident. The seed capsules swell to about 2 cm.and turn purple as they ripen. In fact it was the size and colour of the capsules which attracted the attention of the collector. The general foliage and habit is that of a large C. pilosula. The corolla is externally similar in size and colour to C.lanceolata but without the noticable indentation of that species. Internally it is covered on the upper half in a deep purple.

Below are several photographs of this plant if anyone believes they are growing this species from a different source I would be happy to hear about it via Email to:= paul@kneebone.freeserve.co.uk