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{{Taxobox
| color = lightgreen
| name = ''Caulophyllum thalictroides''
| image = Caulophyllum_thalictroides-BB.jpg
| image_width = 240px
| image_caption = ''Caulophyllum thalictroides'' from Britton & Brown 1913
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Ranunculales]]
| familia = [[Berberidaceae]]
| genus = '''''Caulophyllum'''''
| genus_authority = [[André Michaux|Michx.]]
| subdivision_ranks = Species
| subdivision =
''Caulophyllum thalictroides''</br>
''Caulophyllum robustum''</br>
''Caulophyllum giganteum''
}}
'''''Caulophyllum''''' is a small [[genus]] of perennial herbs in the family [[Berberidaceae]]. It is native to eastern [[Asia]] and eastern [[North America]]. These plants are distinctive spring wildflowers, which grow in moist, rich woodland, it is known for its large triple-[[compound leaf]], and large blue, berry-like [[fruit]]s. Unlike many spring wildflowers, it is not [[ephemeral]] and persists throughout much of the summer. Common names for plants in this genus include '''Blue Cohosh''', '''Squaw Root''', and '''Papoose Root'''. As hinted at by its common names, this plant is well known as an [[alternative medicine]] for inducing [[childbirth]] and [[menstruation|menstrual]] flow; it is also considered a [[poison]]ous plant.<ref name="dukect">>[http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/duke/ethnobot.pl?ethnobot.taxon=Caulophyllum%20thalictroides Dr. Duke's Phytochemical and Ethnobotanical Databases]</ref>
== Description ==
These large, smooth plants (0.3m-0.9m tall) have a single to few [[Plant stem|stem]]s with each stem bearing normally one, but on large stems two, large triple-compound leafs which the casual observer might assume to be several smaller leaves arranged on three separate branches. Each leaflet ends in three to five distinct tips. Plants produce under ground stems called [[rhizome]]s that give rise to the leaves each spring and in the fall when the foliage dies back a scar is left on the rhizome and a new bud is formed that will grow into the foliage next spring. Plants are long lived and can live for more than 50 years, they are found in wooded locations with moisture retentive soils.
In April or May, each mature stem bears a spike of [[flower]]s. Each flower has six petal-like [[sepal]]s which range from greenish-yellow to purple. The different rates of maturity between the [[stamen]]s and the [[pistil]] insures [[pollination|cross pollination]]. There are six fleshy [[nectar]] glands at the base of each [[sepal]] which attract [[pollinator]]s. Each fertilized flower matures into a large (1 cm) deep-blue berry-like fruit which houses two bitter [[seed]]s. The large seeds are covered with a characteristic blue coat and the fruits remain on the plants until fall. Seed germination can take a few years and the seedlings are hypogeal, the cotyledons remaining underground after germination and seedling emergence, the seedlings need a few years of growth before they are large enough to flower.
== Species ==
All species in this genus are very similar. Until recently, this genus was considered to be composed of only two species, however the [[Flora of North America]] recognizes ''Caulophyllum giganteum'', as a distinct species rather than a subspecies of ''Caulophyllum thalictroides''.<ref>[http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=105942 Flora of North America: Caulophyllum]</ref> ''Caulophyllum giganteum'' is slightly larger, has a more northerly (but overlapping) distribution, and blooms two weeks earlier than ''Caulophyllum thalictroides''. ''Caulophyllum giganteum'' also has fewer flowers, that are consistently purplish.
*''[[Caulophyllum thalictroides]]'' -[[Blue Cohosh]] (E. North America)
*''Caulophyllum giganteum'' -Giant Blue Cohosh (E. North America)
*''Caulophyllum robustum'' -Asian Blue Cohosh (Japan, E. Asia)
== Uses ==
These poisonous plants has been used for many things throughout history, the three similar species generally have similar properties and uses.<ref name="PFAF">>[http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Caulophyllum+thalictroides Plants for a Future Database: Caulophyllum thalictroides]</ref> This plant is occasionally used in woodland gardens as an ornamental. Children should not be allowed to eat the attractive blue fruits, as these plants contain [[chemicals]] that are known to cause [[Cell (biology)|cell]] damage.<ref>[http://www.cbif.gc.ca/pls/pp/ppack.info?p_psn=117&p_type=all&p_sci=sci&p_x=px Canadian Poisonous Plants Information System: Caulophyllum]</ref> The powdered roots have been shown to cause [[dermatitis]] and irritation of the [[mucus membrane]]s.
=== Food ===
Historically, the roasted seeds have been used as a [[coffee]] substitute; this beverage does not contain [[caffeine]].<ref name="PFAF" /> <ref>[http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?402531 USDA GRIN Taxonomy for Plants: Caulophyllum]</ref>
=== Medicine ===
WARNING: This plants should not be used by pregnant women. As this is a known poisonous plant, care should be taken by anyone using this plant.
Historically the root of ''Caulophyllum'' has been used as a medicine for: [[cancer]], internal [[parasites]], [[smooth muscle]] function, [[spasm]]s, [[diuretic]], [[menstruation]], and [[childbirth]].<ref name="dukect" /> It is best known for the latter two uses. Various [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] tribes are also recorded as having used this plant for similar medicinal purposes.<ref>[http://herb.umd.umich.edu/herb/search.pl?searchstring=Caulophyllum+thalictroides Native American Ethnobotany Database by D. Moerman]</ref> While no current widely marketed medicines are based on this plant, modern [[herbalist]]s and practitioners of [[alternative medicine]] still utilize this plant as a natural therapy. Research on the medicinal potentials of this plant are ongoing.
==References==
<references />
[[Category:Berberidaceae]]
[[Category:Flora of Eastern United States]]
[[Category:Medicinal plants]]
| color = lightgreen
| name = ''Caulophyllum thalictroides''
| image = Caulophyllum_thalictroides-BB.jpg
| image_width = 240px
| image_caption = ''Caulophyllum thalictroides'' from Britton & Brown 1913
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Ranunculales]]
| familia = [[Berberidaceae]]
| genus = '''''Caulophyllum'''''
| genus_authority = [[André Michaux|Michx.]]
| subdivision_ranks = Species
| subdivision =
''Caulophyllum thalictroides''</br>
''Caulophyllum robustum''</br>
''Caulophyllum giganteum''
}}
'''''Caulophyllum''''' is a small [[genus]] of perennial herbs in the family [[Berberidaceae]]. It is native to eastern [[Asia]] and eastern [[North America]]. These plants are distinctive spring wildflowers, which grow in moist, rich woodland, it is known for its large triple-[[compound leaf]], and large blue, berry-like [[fruit]]s. Unlike many spring wildflowers, it is not [[ephemeral]] and persists throughout much of the summer. Common names for plants in this genus include '''Blue Cohosh''', '''Squaw Root''', and '''Papoose Root'''. As hinted at by its common names, this plant is well known as an [[alternative medicine]] for inducing [[childbirth]] and [[menstruation|menstrual]] flow; it is also considered a [[poison]]ous plant.<ref name="dukect">>[http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/duke/ethnobot.pl?ethnobot.taxon=Caulophyllum%20thalictroides Dr. Duke's Phytochemical and Ethnobotanical Databases]</ref>
== Description ==
These large, smooth plants (0.3m-0.9m tall) have a single to few [[Plant stem|stem]]s with each stem bearing normally one, but on large stems two, large triple-compound leafs which the casual observer might assume to be several smaller leaves arranged on three separate branches. Each leaflet ends in three to five distinct tips. Plants produce under ground stems called [[rhizome]]s that give rise to the leaves each spring and in the fall when the foliage dies back a scar is left on the rhizome and a new bud is formed that will grow into the foliage next spring. Plants are long lived and can live for more than 50 years, they are found in wooded locations with moisture retentive soils.
In April or May, each mature stem bears a spike of [[flower]]s. Each flower has six petal-like [[sepal]]s which range from greenish-yellow to purple. The different rates of maturity between the [[stamen]]s and the [[pistil]] insures [[pollination|cross pollination]]. There are six fleshy [[nectar]] glands at the base of each [[sepal]] which attract [[pollinator]]s. Each fertilized flower matures into a large (1 cm) deep-blue berry-like fruit which houses two bitter [[seed]]s. The large seeds are covered with a characteristic blue coat and the fruits remain on the plants until fall. Seed germination can take a few years and the seedlings are hypogeal, the cotyledons remaining underground after germination and seedling emergence, the seedlings need a few years of growth before they are large enough to flower.
== Species ==
All species in this genus are very similar. Until recently, this genus was considered to be composed of only two species, however the [[Flora of North America]] recognizes ''Caulophyllum giganteum'', as a distinct species rather than a subspecies of ''Caulophyllum thalictroides''.<ref>[http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=105942 Flora of North America: Caulophyllum]</ref> ''Caulophyllum giganteum'' is slightly larger, has a more northerly (but overlapping) distribution, and blooms two weeks earlier than ''Caulophyllum thalictroides''. ''Caulophyllum giganteum'' also has fewer flowers, that are consistently purplish.
*''[[Caulophyllum thalictroides]]'' -[[Blue Cohosh]] (E. North America)
*''Caulophyllum giganteum'' -Giant Blue Cohosh (E. North America)
*''Caulophyllum robustum'' -Asian Blue Cohosh (Japan, E. Asia)
== Uses ==
These poisonous plants has been used for many things throughout history, the three similar species generally have similar properties and uses.<ref name="PFAF">>[http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Caulophyllum+thalictroides Plants for a Future Database: Caulophyllum thalictroides]</ref> This plant is occasionally used in woodland gardens as an ornamental. Children should not be allowed to eat the attractive blue fruits, as these plants contain [[chemicals]] that are known to cause [[Cell (biology)|cell]] damage.<ref>[http://www.cbif.gc.ca/pls/pp/ppack.info?p_psn=117&p_type=all&p_sci=sci&p_x=px Canadian Poisonous Plants Information System: Caulophyllum]</ref> The powdered roots have been shown to cause [[dermatitis]] and irritation of the [[mucus membrane]]s.
=== Food ===
Historically, the roasted seeds have been used as a [[coffee]] substitute; this beverage does not contain [[caffeine]].<ref name="PFAF" /> <ref>[http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?402531 USDA GRIN Taxonomy for Plants: Caulophyllum]</ref>
=== Medicine ===
WARNING: This plants should not be used by pregnant women. As this is a known poisonous plant, care should be taken by anyone using this plant.
Historically the root of ''Caulophyllum'' has been used as a medicine for: [[cancer]], internal [[parasites]], [[smooth muscle]] function, [[spasm]]s, [[diuretic]], [[menstruation]], and [[childbirth]].<ref name="dukect" /> It is best known for the latter two uses. Various [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] tribes are also recorded as having used this plant for similar medicinal purposes.<ref>[http://herb.umd.umich.edu/herb/search.pl?searchstring=Caulophyllum+thalictroides Native American Ethnobotany Database by D. Moerman]</ref> While no current widely marketed medicines are based on this plant, modern [[herbalist]]s and practitioners of [[alternative medicine]] still utilize this plant as a natural therapy. Research on the medicinal potentials of this plant are ongoing.
==References==
<references />
[[Category:Berberidaceae]]
[[Category:Flora of Eastern United States]]
[[Category:Medicinal plants]]
