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Summary

Bloom Color: White. Main Bloom Time: Late spring, Mid spring. Form: Upright or erect.

Physical Characteristics

Jeffersonia diphylla is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.2 m (0ft 8in) by 0.2 m (0ft 8in) at a slow rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in flower in May. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs).
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) or semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

J. binata. Podophyllum diphyllum.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; not Deep Shade;

Edible Uses

None known

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antispasmodic Cancer Diuretic Emetic Expectorant Poultice Tonic Urinary

The whole plant is antispasmodic, diuretic, emetic, expectorant and tonic[21, 46, 218, 222]. An infusion is used in the treatment of diarrhoea, dropsy, gravel and urinary problems[257]. The root is emetic in large doses and expectorant in smaller doses[207]. The root contains berberine, which has been shown to have anti-tumour activity[218]. A poultice of the plant is applied to sores, ulcers and inflamed parts[257].

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

Food Forest

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Rock garden, Woodland garden. Prefers a light sandy, peaty or humus-rich woodland soil and a rather shady situation[1, 130, 280]. Suitable for a choice position in a cool leafy soil[187]. Plants are hardy to at least -20°c[187]. A slow-growing plant[188]. Plants have an extensive root system and resent disturbance[188]. They should be pot-grown and planted into their permanent positions as soon as possible. Special Features:North American native, Attractive flowers or blooms. The plant is heat tolerant in zones 7 through 5. (Plant Hardiness Zones show how well plants withstand cold winter temperatures. Plant Heat Zones show when plants would start suffering from the heat. The Plant Heat Zone map is based on the number of "heat days" experienced in a given area where the temperature climbs to over 86 degrees F (30°C). At this temperature, many plants begin to suffer physiological damage. Heat Zones range from 1 (no heat days) to 12 (210 or more heat days). For example Heat Zone. 11-1 indicates that the plant is heat tolerant in zones 11 through 1.) For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub etc. and size shown above) information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. The plant growth habit is a clumper with limited spread [1-2]. The root pattern is fibrous dividing into a large number of fine roots [1-2].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees, and Woodland Gardening. Our new book to be released soon is Edible Shrubs.

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Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[200]. 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[200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Jeffersonia dubia	Twinleaf	Perennial	0.3	4-8	S	LM	FS	M	0	2	0

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

Jeffersonia diphylla - (L.)Pers.