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Jeffersonia diphylla - (L.)Pers.

Common Name Twinleaf, Rheumatism Root
Family Berberidaceae
USDA hardiness 5-8
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Very rare in the wild, it is found in limestone soils and rich woods near rivers[43, 222].
Range Eastern N. America - New York and Ontario to Alabama and west to Wisconsin.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Full shade Semi-shade
Jeffersonia diphylla Twinleaf, Rheumatism Root


USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. Illustrated flora of the northern states and Canada. Vol. 2: 129
Jeffersonia diphylla Twinleaf, Rheumatism Root
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Jdsteakley

 

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Summary

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


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
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.

Plant 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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Fahrenheit:

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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,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant 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 Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: Canada, Ontario (south), United States, Indiana, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Illinois, Iowa (east), Minnesota (southeast), Wisconsin (south), Alabama (north), Georgia (north), Kentucky, Maryland (west), North Carolina (west), Tennessee, Virginia,

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 it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Jeffersonia dubiaTwinleafPerennial0.3 4-8 SLMFSM020

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.

 

Expert comment

Author

(L.)Pers.

Botanical References

43200

Links / References

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