Caulophyllum robustum
| Caulophyllum robustum | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 7 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 1' |
| Blooms: | Mid Spring |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Caulophyllum robustum (common name: papoose root)
Propagation: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a shady part of a cold frame[1]. If stored seed is used, it should be sown as soon as it is received. Germination can be erratic. Prick out the seedlings as soon as they are large enough to handle and grow them on in a shady part of a greenhouse or cold frame for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions during autumn or early winter.
Division in spring or just after flowering[1]. Plants are slow to increase[2].
Cultivation: We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors in most parts of this country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus.
Easily grown in a damp light humus-rich woodland soil preferring a position in deep shade[3][1]. One report says that it is best in a peat garden.
The seeds rupture the ovary before they are fully ripe and continue to expand naked, they are bright blue when fully ripe[4].
Range: E. Asia - Japan, Korea.
Habitat: Woods in mountains all over Japan[5].
Edibility: Young leaves - cooked[6][7].
Medicinal: This herb is said to have similar medicinal properties to C. thalictroides[8]. These are:-
Papoose root is a traditional herb of the North American Indians and was used extensively by them to facilitate child birth[9]. Modern herbalists still consider it to be a woman's herb and it is commonly used to treat various gynaecological conditions[8]. An acrid, bitter, warming herb, it stimulates the uterus, reduces inflammation, expels intestinal worms and has diuretic effects[10].
The root is anthelmintic, antispasmodic, diaphoretic, diuretic, emmenagogue, oxytocic and sedative[11][12][13][14][9]. An infusion of the root in warm water is taken for about 2 weeks before the expected birth date in order to ease the birth[9][15]. This infusion can also be used as an emmenagogue and a uterine stimulant[15]. Papoose root should therefore be used with some caution by women who are in an earlier stage of pregnancy since it can induce a miscarriage or early delivery[16]. The plant is also taken internally in the treatment of pelvic inflammatory disease, rheumatism and gout[10]. It should not be prescribed for people with hypertension and heart diseases[10]. Any use of this plant is best under the supervision of a qualified practitioner[10].
The roots are normally harvested in the autumn, because they are at their richest at this time[15], and are dried for later use.
The root is harvested in early spring as new growth is beginning and is used to make a homeopathic remedy[17]. It is used especially in childbirth and in some forms of rheumatism[17].
Soil: Can grow in light and medium soils.
Seed Ripens: Early Fall
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Known Hazards: Some caution is advised, the following note relates to another member of this genus but could have relevance to this species.
This plant should not be used during pregnancy prior to the commencement of labour[14].
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Perennials - The Definitve Reference. Pan Books, 1991.
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ Royal Horticultural Society. The Plantsman Vol. 4. 1982 - 1983. Royal Horticultural Society, 1982.
- ↑ Ohwi, Jisaburo. Flora of Japan. Smithsonian Institution, 1965.
- ↑ Tanaka, Tyōzaburō. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing, 1976.
- ↑ Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Chevallier, Andrew. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants. Dorling Kindersley, 1996.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Coffey, Timothy. The History and Folklore of North American Wild Flowers. Facts on File, 1993.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 Bown, Deni. Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopaedia of Herbs and Their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, 1995.
- ↑ Grieve, Margaret. A Modern Herbal. Penguin, 1984.
- ↑ Lust, John. The Herb Book. Bantam Books, 1983.
- ↑ Uphof, Johannes. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim, 1959.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 Mills, Simon. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism.
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 Weiner, Michael. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books, 1980.
- ↑ Foster, Steven and Billy Tatum. Medicinal Plants of Eastern and Central North America. Houghton Mifflin, 1990.
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 Castro, Miranda. The Complete Homeopathy Handbook. Macmillan, 1990.