Practical
Plants

Jeffersonia diphylla

Twinleaf

a perennial member of the Jeffersonia genus in the family Berberidaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Growth rate
slow
Height
0.2 m
Spread
0.2 m
Flower type
hermaphrodite

Uses

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.

The whole plant is antispasmodic, diuretic, emetic, expectorant and tonic[7][12][8][9]. An infusion is used in the treatment of diarrhoea, dropsy, gravel and urinary problems[10]. The root is emetic in large doses and expectorant in smaller doses[6]. The root contains berberine, which has been shown to have anti-tumour activity[8]. A poultice of the plant is applied to sores, ulcers and inflamed parts[10].

Product or use
Antispasmodic
Product or use
Cancer
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Emetic
Product or use
Expectorant
Product or use
Poultice
Product or use
Tonic

Environment

Range
Eastern N. America - New York and Ontario to Alabama and west to Wisconsin.
Habitat
Very rare in the wild, it is found in limestone soils and rich woods near rivers[11][9].
Light
partial sun
Shade tolerance
permanent shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 5+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
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 cold frame[5]. Sow stored seed as soon as possible in late winter or the spring. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division in early spring[5].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Prefers a peaty or woodland soil and a rather shady situation[1][2]. Suitable for a choice position in a cool leafy soil[3]. Plants are hardy to at least -20°c[3]. A slow-growing plant[4]. Plants have an extensive root system and resent disturbance[4]. They should be pot-grown and planted into their permanent positions as soon as possible

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩

  2. ? The Plantsman. Vol. 4. 1982 - 1983. Royal Horticultural Society 1982-00-00

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  3. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30936-9

    ↩1↩2

  4. Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7

    ↩1↩2

  5. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2

  6. Coffey. T. The History and Folklore of North American Wild Flowers. Facts on File. 1993-00-00 ISBN 0-8160-2624-6

    ↩

  7. Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-553-23827-2

    ↩

  8. Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4

    ↩1↩2

  9. Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0395467225

    ↩1↩2

  10. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

    ↩1↩2

  11. Fernald. M. L. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co. 1950-00-00

    ↩

  12. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

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