キキョウ 桔梗
[b][i]Platycodon[/i][/b], commonly called Chinese bellflower, is a genus of [[flower]]ing plant in the [[bellflower]] family ([i]Campanulaceae[/i]), native to East Asia. The only member of the genus is [i]Platycodon grandiflorus[/i].

Chinese bellflower produces five-petaled, star-shaped flowers that are blue, purple, pink, or white in color. A notable feature is the [[bud]], which swells like a balloon before opening into a star-shaped flower, earning the flower another common name - [b]balloon flower[/b] (which is also a tag, but for literal balloons). The roots of the plant are edible and used in cooking.

Not to be confused with [[balloon flower]], a flower made by tying up a balloon. Also not to be confused with [[flower balloon]], a flower-shaped balloon.

h4. Examples

* !asset #23164833: Photo reference, flower
* !asset #23164843: Photo reference, bud
* !post #1213544
* !post #3990526

h4. See also

* [[Gentiana (flower)|]]

h4. External links

* "Wikipedia: Platycodon":https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Platycodon
* "Wikipedia: Campanulaceae":https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Campanulaceae
chinese bellflower