Caulophyllum thalictroides
Papoose Root
a perennial member of the Caulophyllum genus in the family Berberidaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Berberidaceae
- Genus
- Caulophyllum
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Height
- 0.5 m
- Spread
- 1 m
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
Uses
Toxicity
Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
This plant should not be used during pregnancy prior to the commencement of labour[5].
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The roasted seed is a coffee substitute[18][2][3][6]. The seeds are about the size of large peas, but are not produced in abundance[13].
- Product or use
- Coffee
Medicinal uses
Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Papoose root is a traditional herb of many North American Indian tribes and was used extensively by them to facilitate child birth[9]. Modern herbalists still consider it to be a woman's herb and it is commonly used to treat various gynaecological conditions[16]. An acrid, bitter, warming herb, it stimulates the uterus, reduces inflammation, expels intestinal worms and has diuretic effects[15]. The root is anthelmintic, antispasmodic, diaphoretic, diuretic, emmenagogue, oxytocic and sedative[18][10][20][5][9]. An infusion of the root in warm water is taken for about 2 weeks before the expected birth date in order to ease the birth[9][11]. This infusion can also be used as an emmenagogue and a uterine stimulant[11]. Papoose root should therefore be used with some caution by women who are in an earlier stage of pregnancy since it can induce a miscarriage or early delivery[12]. The plant is also taken internally in the treatment of pelvic inflammatory disease, rheumatism and gout[15]. It should not be prescribed for people with hypertension and heart diseases[15]. The powdered root can have an irritant action on the mucous membranes, therefore any use of this plant is best under the supervision of a qualified practitioner[15][17]. The roots are normally harvested in the autumn, because they are at their richest at this time[11], and are dried for later use. The root is harvested in early spring as new growth is beginning and is used to make a homeopathic remedy[13]. It is used especially in childbirth and in some forms of rheumatism[13].
- Product or use
- Anthelmintic
- Product or use
- Antispasmodic
- Product or use
- Birthing aid
- Product or use
- Diaphoretic
- Product or use
- Diuretic
- Product or use
- Emmenagogue
- Product or use
- Oxytoxic
- Product or use
- Sedative
Environment
- Range
- Eastern N. America - New Brunswick to South Carolina, Arkansas, North Dakota and Manitoba.
- Light
- partial sun
- Shade tolerance
- permanent shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 7+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a shady part of a cold frame[8]. If stored seed is used, it should be sown as soon as it is received. Germination can be erratic. Prick out the seedlings as soon as they are large enough to handle and grow them on in a shady part of a greenhouse or cold frame for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions during autumn or early winter. Division in spring or just after flowering[8]. Plants are slow to increase[7].
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Easily grown in a damp light humus-rich woodland soil preferring a position in deep shade[1][8]. One report says that it is best in a peat garden. Plants are hardy to at least -20°c[7]. The plant only produces one large leaf each year[14]. The seeds rupture the ovary before they are fully ripe and continue to expand naked, they are bright blue when fully ripe[4].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Kavasch. B. Native Harvests. Vintage Books 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-394-72811-4
Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00
? The Plantsman. Vol. 4. 1982 - 1983. Royal Horticultural Society 1982-00-00
Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism.
Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169
Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30936-9
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Coffey. T. The History and Folklore of North American Wild Flowers. Facts on File. 1993-00-00 ISBN 0-8160-2624-6
Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-553-23827-2
Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books 1980-00-00 ISBN 0-449-90589-6
Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0395467225
Castro. M. The Complete Homeopathy Handbook. Macmillan. London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-333-55581-3
Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8
Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31
Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148
Stuart. M. (Editor) The Encyclopedia of Herbs and Herbalism Orbis Publishing. London. 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-85613-067-2
Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9
Fernald. M. L. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co. 1950-00-00
Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00