Practical
Plants

Podophyllum hexandrum

Himalayan May Apple

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

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.45 m
Spread
0.3 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.

The leaves and the roots are poisonous[10]. Only the root is poisonous, it is more toxic than P. peltatum[9].

Edible uses

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

Fruit - raw. It must only be eaten when it is fully ripe[1][10][22][2]. Juicy but insipid[5]. The fruit is about 5cm long[11]. The leaves are edible according to one report but this must be treated with some caution, see notes on toxicity above[7].

Plant part
Fruit

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, 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[19][20][21][23][24][4][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[12]. The roots contain several important anti-cancer lignans, including podophyllin and berberine[13]. The roots are also antirheumatic[13]. The root is harvested in the autumn and either dried for later use or the resin is extracted[14]. This plant is highly poisonous and should only be used under the supervision of a qualified practitioner[14]. It should not be prescribed for pregnant women[14].

Product or use
Antirheumatic
Product or use
Cancer
Product or use
Cholagogue
Product or use
Cytostatic
Product or use
Purgative

Material uses

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

A medicinal resin is obtained from the plant. It is extracted with alcohol[23].

Environment

Range
E. Asia - Afghanistan to China.
Habitat
Scrub forests and alpine meadows[8], usually in humus rich soils, 2000 - 3500 metres in the Himalayas[5][6]. Very abundant in fir forests in Kashmir[12].
Light
partial sun
Shade tolerance
permanent shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 6+
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. 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[3].

Cultivation

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

Prefers a moist peaty soil and filtered light or shade[3][8]. Grows well in a moist open woodland[17][18][11]. Hardy to about -20°c[8], it takes some years to become established[4] but is very long lived in a suitable habitat[5]. Young leaves may be damaged by late frosts but otherwise the plants are quite hardy[5]. Over collection of the plant from the wild is becomimg a cause for concern as local populations are being endangered[16]. Young plants only produce one leaf each year, older plants have 2 or 3 leaves each year[12]. 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[4]. There are various research projects under way (as of 1990)[4]. The sub-species P. hexandrum chinense. Wall. has larger flowers and more deeply divided leaves[8].

References

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

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  2. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

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  3. Sanders. T. W. Popular Hardy Perennials. Collingridge 1926-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  4. RHS. The Garden. Volume 113. Royal Horticultural Society 1988-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  6. Singh. Dr. G. and Kachroo. Prof. Dr. P. Forest Flora of Srinagar. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh 1976-00-00

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  7. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  9. Stary. F. Poisonous Plants. Hamlyn 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-600-35666-3

    ↩

  10. Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2

  12. Coventry. B. O. Wild Flowers of Kashmir Raithby, Lawrence and Co. 1923-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩1↩2

  14. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2↩3

  15. Phillips. R. & Foy. N. Herbs Pan Books Ltd. London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30725-8

    ↩1↩2

  16. Manandhar. N. P. Plants and People of Nepal Timber Press. Oregon. 2002-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-527-6

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  17. Knight. F. P. Plants for Shade. Royal Horticultural Society. 1980-00-00 ISBN 0-900629-78-9

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  18. Brown. Shade Plants for Garden and Woodland.

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

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  20. Polunin. O. and Stainton. A. Flowers of the Himalayas. Oxford Universtiy Press 1984-00-00

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  21. Schery. R. W. Plants for Man.

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  22. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

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  23. Howes. F. N. Vegetable Gums and Resins. Faber

    ↩1↩2

  24. Frohne. D. and Pf�nder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Wolfe 1984-00-00 ISBN 0723408394

    ↩

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