- Jeffersonia
:"Twinleaf" redirects here. For the town in Pokemon Diamond and Pearl, see Twinleaf Town.Taxobox
name = "Jeffersonia"
image_width = 240px
image_caption = "Jeffersonia diphylla" from Britton & Brown 1913
regnum =Plantae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis =Magnoliopsida
ordo =Ranunculales
familia =Berberidaceae
genus = "Jeffersonia"
genus_authority = Barton
subdivision_ranks = Species
subdivision = "Jeffersonia diphylla""Jeffersonia dubia""Jeffersonia" which is also known as Twinleaf or Rheumatism root, is a small
genus ofherbaceous perennial plant s in the familyBerberidaceae . The two species are native to easternAsia and easternNorth America . They are uncommon spring wildflowers, which grow inlimestone soils of rich woodland. "Jeffersonia" was named forUnited States President Thomas Jefferson , by his contemporaryBenjamin Smith Barton . [http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=116785 Flora of North America: Jeffersonia] ] 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. [ [http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=JEDI USDA PLANTS Database: Jeffersonia] ]Description
The leaves and
flower s of thisplant are smooth and emerge directly from the base of the plant. "Jeffersonia" has showy white flowers with eightpetals ; the flower resemblesBloodroot , a smallpoppy . 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 "
root s" of both species containberberine , a known anti-tumoralkaloid .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.> [http://herb.umd.umich.edu/ Native American Ethnobotany Database by D. Moerman] ] TheIroquois used a decoction of the plant to treatliver problems anddiarrhea .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. [ [http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Jeffersonia+diphylla Plants for a Future Database: "J. diphylla"] ] Modern medicine does not currently utilize this plant.China
Traditional Chinese medicine uses "Jeffersonia dubia" for strengthening thestomach and bringing down fevers. [http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Jeffersonia+dubia Plants for a Future Database: "J. dubia"] ]References
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