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Podophyllum hexandrum
  • Himalayan May Apple

a perennial member of the Podophyllum genus in the family Podophyllaceae.

Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Partial sun
    Partial sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • permanent shade
    Permanent shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Acid to Alkaline
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Loamy
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 6
    Zone 6
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Podophyllum hexandrum has 0 edible uses listed
Podophyllum hexandrum has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Toxic parts

The leaves and the roots are poisonous[1]. Only the root is poisonous, it is more toxic than P. peltatum[2].

Edible uses

Notes

Fruit - raw. It must only be eaten when it is fully ripe[3][1][4][5]. Juicy but insipid[6]. The fruit is about 5cm long[7]. The leaves are edible according to one report but this must be treated with some caution, see notes on toxicity above[8].

Fruit

Unknown use

Material uses

A medicinal resin is obtained from the plant. It is extracted with alcohol[9].
There are no material uses listed for Podophyllum hexandrum.

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

The whole plant, but especially the root, is cholagogue, cytostatic and purgative. The plant contains podophyllin, which has an antimiotic 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[10][11][12][9][13][14][15]. However, alopecia is said to be a common side-effect of this treatment[15]. This species contains about twice the quantity of active ingredient than P. peltatum[16].

The roots contain several important anti-cancer lignans, including podophyllin and berberine[17]. The roots are also antirheumatic[17].

The root is harvested in the autumn and either dried for later use or the resin is extracted[18]. This plant is highly poisonous and should only be used under the supervision of a qualified practitioner[18]. It should not be prescribed for pregnant women[18].

Unknown part

Antirheumatic
Cancer
Cholagogue
Cytostatic
Purgative

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

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[19].

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Podophyllum hexandrum. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Prefers a moist peaty soil and filtered light or shade[19][20]. Grows well in a moist open woodland[21][22][7].

Hardy to about -20°c[20], it takes some years to become established[14] but is very long lived in a suitable habitat[6]. Young leaves may be damaged by late frosts but otherwise the plants are quite hardy[6]. Over collection of the plant from the wild is becomimg a cause for concern as local populations are being endangered[23]. Young plants only produce one leaf each year, older plants have 2 or 3 leaves each year[16]. 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[14]. There are various research projects under way (as of 1990)[14].

The sub-species P. hexandrum chinense. Wall. has larger flowers and more deeply divided leaves[20].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Podophyllum hexandrum. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Podophyllum hexandrum.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Podophyllum hexandrum
Genus
Podophyllum
Family
Podophyllaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[3][1][4][5][6][7][8]
Medicinal uses
[10][11][12][9][13][14][15][16][17][18]
Material uses & Functions
[9]
Botanic
[11][7]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
6
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
partial sun
Shade
permanent shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy
Soil Water Retention
well drained
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    ?
    Herbaceous or Woody
    ?
    Life Cycle
    perennial
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    0.45 x 0.3 meters
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    ?
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    hermaphrodite











    References

    1. ? 1.01.11.2 Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-20459-6 (1972-00-00)
    2. ? Stary. F. Poisonous Plants. Hamlyn ISBN 0-600-35666-3 (1983-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.1 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.1 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.1 Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing (1976-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.16.26.3 ? The Plantsman. Vol. 4. 1982 - 1983. Royal Horticultural Society (1982-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.17.27.3 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.1 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.19.29.3 Howes. F. N. Vegetable Gums and Resins. Faber ()
    10. ? 10.010.1 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
    11. ? 11.011.111.2 Polunin. O. and Stainton. A. Flowers of the Himalayas. Oxford Universtiy Press (1984-00-00)
    12. ? 12.012.1 Schery. R. W. Plants for Man. ()
    13. ? 13.013.1 Frohne. D. and Pf?nder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Wolfe ISBN 0723408394 (1984-00-00)
    14. ? 14.014.114.214.314.4 RHS. The Garden. Volume 113. Royal Horticultural Society (1988-00-00)
    15. ? 15.015.115.2 Phillips. R. & Foy. N. Herbs Pan Books Ltd. London. ISBN 0-330-30725-8 (1990-00-00)
    16. ? 16.016.116.2 Coventry. B. O. Wild Flowers of Kashmir Raithby, Lawrence and Co. (1923-00-00)
    17. ? 17.017.117.2 Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. ISBN 0-917256-20-4 (1985-00-00)
    18. ? 18.018.118.218.3 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)
    19. ? 19.019.1 Sanders. T. W. Popular Hardy Perennials. Collingridge (1926-00-00)
    20. ? 20.020.120.2 Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books ISBN 0-330-30936-9 (1991-00-00)
    21. ? Knight. F. P. Plants for Shade. Royal Horticultural Society. ISBN 0-900629-78-9 (1980-00-00)
    22. ? Brown. Shade Plants for Garden and Woodland. ()
    23. ? Manandhar. N. P. Plants and People of Nepal Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-527-6 (2002-00-00)

    Cite error: <ref> tag with name "PFAFimport-145" defined in <references> is not used in prior text.


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    Facts about "Podophyllum hexandrum"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyPodophyllaceae +
    Belongs to genusPodophyllum +
    Has common nameHimalayan May Apple +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partFruit +
    Has edible useUnknown use +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has hardiness zone6 +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has mature height0.45 +
    Has mature width0.3 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAntirheumatic +, Cancer +, Cholagogue +, Cytostatic + and Purgative +
    Has search namepodophyllum hexandrum + and x +
    Has shade tolerancePermanent shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil teloamyture preferenceLoamy +
    Has soil tesandyture preferenceSandy +
    Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
    Has sun preferencePartial sun +
    Has taxonomy namePodophyllum hexandrum +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +