Jeffersonia

Plant Characteristics

Cultivation

Scientific Names

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Read about Jeffersonia in the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture

Jeffersonia (Thomas Jefferson, third president of the United States). Berberidaceae. Attractive hardy perennial herbs. Rhizomatous: lvs. radical, palmately nerved, 2-lobed or 2-parted: fl. solitary on a naked scape; sepals 4, petaloid but fugacious; petals 8, flat, larger than sepals; stamens 8, free, with slender filaments; ovary single, the style 2-lobed at apex: fr. a caps., partially circumscissile near summit.—Two species, 1 in E. N. Amer. and 1 in Manchuria. The oriental species, J. dubia. Benth. & Hook., seems not to be in cult. The above text is from the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture. It may be out of date, but still contains valuable and interesting information which can be incorporated into the remainder of the article. Click on "Collapse" in the header to hide this text.

This article is about a plant; for the town in Pokemon Diamond and Pearl, see Twinleaf Town

? Jeffersonia
Jeffersonia diphylla from Britton & Brown 1913
Plant Info
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Ranunculales Family: Berberidaceae Genus: Jeffersonia Barton
Species
Jeffersonia diphylla Jeffersonia dubia

Jeffersonia which is also known as Twinleaf or Rheumatism root, is a small genus of herbaceous perennial plants in the family Berberidaceae. The two species are native to eastern Asia and eastern North America. They are uncommon spring wildflowers, which grow in limestone soils of rich woodland. Jeffersonia was named for United States President Thomas Jefferson, by his contemporary Benjamin Smith Barton. This genus was formerly, incorrectly grouped in genus Podophyllum. Twinleaf is protected by state laws as a threatened or endangered plant in Georgia, Iowa, New York, and New Jersey.

Description

The leaves and flowers of this plant are smooth and emerge directly from the base of the plant. Jeffersonia has showy white flowers with eight petals; the flower resembles Bloodroot, a small poppy. The flower last only a short time after blooming in April or May, and gives way to a green pear-shaped capsule with a hinged top. The characteristic leaves are large and nearly divided in half, giving rise to its common name, Twinleaf. Plants in this genus rarely grow taller than 12 inches (30 cm).

Species

• Jeffersonia diphylla. Eastern North America.
• Jeffersonia dubia. Manchuria, China.

Uses

Though Jeffersonia is a poisonous plant, it has had a variety of medical uses throughout history. One of those uses is hinted at by an archaic common name of Jeffersonia diphylla, Rheumatism root. The "roots" of both species contain berberine, a known anti-tumor alkaloid.

A colony of Jeffersonia diphylla

America

Native Americans utilized Jeffersonia diphylla for a variety of medicines. The Cherokee reportedly used an infusion of this plant for treating dropsy and urinary tract problems, it was also used as a poultice for sores and inflammation. The Iroquois used a decoction of the plant to treat liver problems and diarrhea.

The whole plant was used in early American medicine as an antispasmodic, diuretic, emetic, expectorant and general tonic. The "root" was once also used as an emetic in large doses, and as an expectorant in small doses. Modern medicine does not currently utilize this plant.

China

Traditional Chinese medicine uses Jeffersonia dubia for strengthening the stomach and bringing down fevers.