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Common Name: American Mandrake

General Information

Podophyllum peltatum is a perennial plant that can grow up to 0.30 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials.

Known Hazards

The leaves and the roots are very poisonous[, , , , ].

Botanical References

,

Range

Eastern N. America - Southern Maine to Florida, west to Texas and Minnesota.

Habitat

Moist soils in rich woods, thickets and pastures[, ].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.30 m
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Prefers a moist peaty soil and filtered light or shade[, ]. Grows well in a moist open woodland[, ] and also succeeds under beech trees in a deep moist leafy soil[]. Succeeds in a pH ranging from 4 to 7[].
A very hardy plant[], tolerating temperatures down to -15°c or lower when dormant[], though the young leaves in spring can be damaged by late frosts[].
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[]. There are various research projects under way (as of 1990)[].
The flower has a foul smell[].
The plant takes some years to become established[] but is very long lived in a suitable habitat[] and can become a vigorous colonizer[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw, cooked or made into jams, jellies, marmalades, pies etc[, , , , , ]. The fruit can also be dried for later use[]. The fruit should only be eaten when it is fully ripe[, , ], the unripe fruit is strongly laxative[]. Remove the rind[]. The fruit is very aromatic[], and has a peculiar though agreeable flavour[]. Sweet and acid. Do not eat the seeds[]. In excess the fruit can cause colic[, , ]. The fruit is about 5cm long[].

Medicinal

American mandrake is a most powerful and useful herbal medicine, exercising an influence on every part of the system and stimulating the glands to healthy action[]. Its greatest power lies in its action on the liver and bowels[]. It is a gastro-intestinal irritant, a powerful hepatic and intestinal stimulant[]. Although often used internally in the past, the plant's cytotoxic action makes it an unsafe remedy for internal use[].
The root is antibilious, cathartic, cytostatic, hydrogogue 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[, , , , , , ]. However, alopecia is said to be a common side-effect of this treatment[]. The root is most active medicinally in early spring when it is beginning to shoot[].
The resin, which is obtained from the root[], is used in the treatment of warts and has been found to be effective against uterine warts that are sometimes experienced in pregnancy[, ]. It is also used in the treatment of small-cell carcinoma[].
The root is harvested in the autumn and either dried for later use or the resin is extracted[]. The whole plant, apart from the ripe fruit, is highly poisonous and should only be used under the supervision of a qualified practitioner[]. It should not be prescribed for pregnant women[]. Large doses have been used to commit suicide[].
A homeopathic remedy is obtained from the fresh root, harvested before the fruit is ripe[]. This is used particularly in the treatment of diarrhoea[].

Other Uses

An infusion of the boiled leaves has been sprayed on potato plants to protect them from insects[]. Other reports suggest that it is insecticidal rather than repellent[, ].
The root ooze has been used to soak corn seed prior to planting it out in order to prevent it being eaten by crows or insects[].

Propagation

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 early to mid spring[].