Practical
Plants

Podophyllum pleianthum

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

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.3 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.

We have seen no reports of toxicity for this species but all parts of the plant, except the fully ripe fruit, are almost certainly poisonous[K].

Edible uses

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

We have no reports for this species but the fruit of several members of this genus is edible when fully ripe, though the unripe fruit is cathartic[K]. More research is required[K].

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 roots contain podophyllin and berberine, they are used to make an anticancer drug for treating tumours of the genital organs[6]. The following report is for P. hexandrum. It quite possibly also applies to this species[K]. 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[13][14][15][16][17][2][9]. However, alopecia is said to be a common side-effect of this treatment[9]. This species contains about twice the quantity of active ingredient than P. peltatum[5]. The roots contain several important anti-cancer lignans, including podophyllin and berberine[6]. The roots are also antirheumatic[6]. The root is harvested in the autumn and either dried for later use or the resin is extracted[8]. This plant is highly poisonous and should only be used under the supervision of a qualified practitioner[8]. It should not be prescribed for pregnant women[8].

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

Environment

Range
E. Asia - C. and South-eastern China.
Habitat
Not known
Light
partial sun
Shade tolerance
permanent shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 7+
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[1].

Cultivation

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

Prefers a moist peaty soil and filtered light or shade[12][1]. Grows well in a moist open woodland[10][11] and also succeeding under beech trees in a deep moist leafy soil[3]. Dormant plants are fairly hardy, but the young leaves in spring are frost tender[7]. 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[2]. There are various research projects under way (as of 1990)[2]. This species is closely related to P. versipelle[4]. The plant takes some years to become established[2] but is very long lived in a suitable habitat[3].

References

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

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩

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

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

  7. Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩

  11. Brown. Shade Plants for Garden and Woodland.

    ↩

  12. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩

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

    ↩

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

    ↩

  15. Schery. R. W. Plants for Man.

    ↩

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

    ↩

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

    ↩

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