Platycodon grandiflorus is a herbaceous flowering perennial plant native to East Asia that usually grows in mountainous areas and fields. This plant is also known as the "balloon flower" because its unopened flowers resemble balloons.
Platycodon grandiflorus is the only member of its genus, with dark green leaves and blue flowers, although there are varieties with purple, pink, and white petals. The latter is most often found in Korea.
This plant has a strong rhizome and thin, very fragile stems with a bluish tint. After the flowers bloom, they resemble small lanterns up to 6 cm (0.1 ft) in diameter. Platycodon blooms from mid-summer and can do so for more than 20 days.
