Podophyllum aurantiocaule

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Podophyllum aurantiocaule
Light:Part Shade Full Shade
Moisture:Mesic
Hardiness:7
Soil pH:5.6-8.4
Height:1'
Width:1'
Blooms:Late Spring-Early Summer
Open Woods Forest
Native to:
Edible Rating:PFAF Edibility RatingPFAF Edibility RatingPFAF Edibility RatingPFAF Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating:PFAF Medicinal RatingPFAF Medicinal RatingPFAF Medicinal RatingPFAF Medicinal Rating
Tea:Yes
Poisonous

Podophyllum aurantiocaule

Propagation: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. Sow stored seed in a cold frame in early spring. The seed germinates in 1 - 4 months at 15°c. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow on in a shady part of the greenhouse for at least 2 growing seasons. Plant them out into their permanent positions in the winter when the plants are dormant.

Division in March/April[1].

Cultivation: Prefers a moist peaty soil and filtered light or shade[2][1]. Grows well in a moist open woodland[3][4] and also succeeds under beech trees in a deep moist leafy soil[5].

Plants are fairly hardy, but the new growth in spring is frost tender[6].

Plants in this genus have excited quite a lot of interest for the compounds found in their roots which have been shown to have anti-cancer activity[7]. There are various research projects under way (as of 1990)[7].

This species is closely related to P. hexandrum[8].

he plant takes some years to become established[7] but is very long lived in a suitable habitat[5].

Range: E. Asia - China.

Edibility: We have no reports for this species but the following report is for the closely related P. hexandrum.

Fruit - raw. It must only be eaten when it is fully ripe[9][10][11][12]. Juicy but insipid[5]. The fruit is about 5cm long[8].

Medicinal: The following report is for the related P. hexandrum. It quite probably also applies to this species.

The whole plant, but especially the root, is cholagogue, cytostatic and purgative. The plant contains podophyllin, which has an antimyotic effect (it interferes with cell division and can thus prevent the growth of cells). It is, therefore, a possible treatment for cancer, and has been used especially in the treatment of ovarian cancer[13][14][15][16][17][7][18]. However, alopecia is said to be a common side-effect of this treatment[18]. This species contains about twice the quantity of active ingredient than P. peltatum[19].

The roots contain several important anti-cancer lignans, including podophyllin and berberine[20]. The roots are also antirheumatic[20].

The root is harvested in the autumn and either dried for later use or the resin is extracted[21]. This plant is highly poisonous and should only be used under the supervision of a qualified practitioner[21]. It should not be prescribed for pregnant women[21].

Soil: Can grow in light and medium soils.

Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.

Seed Ripens: Mid Summer-Late Summer

Flower Type: Hermaphrodite

Known Hazards: We have seen no reports of toxicity for this species but all parts of the plant, except the fully ripe fruit, are almost certainly poisonous[K].

Links

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sanders, Thomas. Popular Hardy Perennials. Collingridge, 1926.
  2. ↑ Grieve, Margaret. A Modern Herbal. Penguin, 1984.
  3. ↑ Knight, F. P.. Plants for Shade. Royal Horticultural Society, 1980.
  4. ↑ Brown, George. Shade Plants for Garden and Woodland.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Royal Horticultural Society. The Plantsman Vol. 4. 1982 - 1983. Royal Horticultural Society, 1982.
  6. ↑ Thomas, Graham. Perennial Garden Plants. J. M. Dent & Sons, 1990.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 Royal Horticultural Society. The Garden Volume 113. Royal Horticultural Society, 1988.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
  9. ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
  10. ↑ Hedrick, Ulysses. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications, 1972.
  11. ↑ Usher, George. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable, 1974.
  12. ↑ Tanaka, Tyōzaburō. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing, 1976.
  13. ↑ Uphof, Johannes. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim, 1959.
  14. ↑ Polunin, Oleg and Adam Stainton. Flowers of the Himalayas. Oxford Universtiy Press, 1984.
  15. ↑ Schery. Robert. Plants for Man. Prentice Hall, 1972.
  16. ↑ Howes, Frank. Vegetable Gums and Resins. Chronica Botanica, 1949.
  17. ↑ Frohne, Dietrich and Hans Pfänder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Timber Press, 1984.
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 Phillips, Roger. Herbs. Pan Books, 1990.
  19. ↑ Coventry, B. Wild Flowers of Kashmir. Raithby, Lawrence and Co, 1923.
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 Duke, James and Edward Ayensu. Medicinal Plants of China. Reference Publications, 1985.
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 Bown, Deni. Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopaedia of Herbs and Their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, 1995.


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