Thyroid Podophyllum

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

Podophyllum thyroid (lat. Podophyllum peltatum) - herbaceous perennial from the Barberry family.

Description

The thyroid podophyll is a plant with a knobby horizontal rhizome, reaching a length of about one meter. Many adventitious roots depart from this rhizome, the length of which often reaches thirty-five centimeters. The height of the stems of this culture is in the range from thirty to forty centimeters, and the length of the finger-cut leaves is from twenty to thirty centimeters.

The white flowers, reaching three to five centimeters in diameter, are equipped with graceful petals in the amount of six to nine pieces. Such flowers develop in tiny leaf forks. Initially, they are characterized by an apical vertical position, as if each flower is supported by leaves. And after some time, the pedicels begin to bend, as a result of which the flowers tilt down, and the growing leaves become apical. The thyroid podophyll blooms usually in May, to be more precise, in its second half, and the duration of flowering is, on average, three weeks.

The fruits of the thyroid podophyllum are yellow-green ovoid and rather large berries, reaching a length of two to eight centimeters and endowed with many tiny seeds and fleshy fragrant pulp. The pulp of the fruit is edible, and its seeds, leaves and rhizomes are poisonous. The fruit has a spicy taste, at first sweetish, and then slightly bitter. The final formation of fruits occurs closer to August.

Where grows

The thyroid podophyllus came to us from North America, more precisely, from its eastern part. At home, this plant grows mainly in shady and fairly damp forests.

Application

The fruits of this culture are edible, however, they must be consumed in moderation.

The thyroid podophyllum contains podophyllin - a resin in which various glycosides are dissolved. Some of them are used in medicine, in particular for the treatment of warts appearing on the genitals, as well as papillomas of the larynx and papillomatosis of the bladder. By the way, not so long ago it was found that podophyllin is able to delay the growth of malignant tumors.

Rhizomes with roots are considered to be the main medicinal raw material. They are usually harvested in spring or autumn, carefully washing each root from soil particles and drying thoroughly.

Thyroid podophyllum is an excellent helper in chronic inflammatory processes, but this culture is not particularly popular in folk medicine.

Contraindications

Thyroid podophyllum is contraindicated in pregnant women. As for the use of this plant in traditional medicine, it is better to do it in the strictest accordance with the instructions of the doctor.

Sometimes the use of podophyllum thyroid can cause stomach upset, as well as nausea and vomiting.

Growing

Thyroid podophyllum is an excellent garden ground cover ornamental plant. It grows especially actively on well-moistened, rich and loose soil. And in order for the plant to feel as comfortable as possible, it must be planted exclusively in the shade. If the thyroid podophyll grows in open areas, then in the second half of summer, when dry weather is established, its pretty leaves may begin to dry out.

By the way, not only the conditions of the southern regions, but also the conditions of the Non-Black Earth Region are excellent for growing thyroid podophyllum. Nevertheless, even under the most favorable conditions, this plant develops very slowly.