Podophyllum peltatum
Podophyllum peltatum
Podophyllum peltatum, also known as Mayapple, American mandrake, or wild mandrake, is a herbaceous perennial plant in the family Berberidaceae, native to the forest floors of eastern North America.
Pronunciation
Podophyllum peltatum: /ˌpoʊdəˈfaɪləm pɛlˈteɪtəm/
Etymology
The genus name Podophyllum is derived from the Greek words 'pous' (foot) and 'phyllon' (leaf), referring to the shape of the leaf which resembles a foot. The species name peltatum comes from the Latin 'pelta', meaning a small shield, in reference to the shape of the leaves.
Description
Podophyllum peltatum is a low-growing plant, typically reaching heights of 30-40 cm. It is characterized by its umbrella-like leaves and solitary white flowers. The plant produces a single, yellow-green fruit, which is edible when fully ripe.
Medicinal Uses
The roots and leaves of Podophyllum peltatum have been used in traditional medicine for their purgative properties. The plant contains podophyllotoxin, a toxic compound that has been used in the treatment of certain types of cancer.
Related Terms
- Berberidaceae: The family to which Podophyllum peltatum belongs.
- Podophyllotoxin: A toxic compound found in Podophyllum peltatum used in cancer treatment.
- Mayapple: A common name for Podophyllum peltatum.
- American mandrake: Another common name for Podophyllum peltatum.
- Wild mandrake: Yet another common name for Podophyllum peltatum.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Podophyllum peltatum
- Wikipedia's article - Podophyllum peltatum
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