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Common Name:

General Information

Podophyllum aurantiocaule 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 and medicine

Known Hazards

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[].

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - China.

Habitat

Deciduous and mixed forests, often in wet areas beneath Rhododendrons and conifers, at 2,750 - 3350 metres. Also open stony alpine pastures amongst dwarf scrub at 3350 - 3950 metres.

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[].
Plants are fairly hardy, but the new growth in spring is frost tender[].
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)[].
This species is closely related to P. hexandrum[].
he plant takes some years to become established[] but is very long lived in a suitable habitat[].

Edible Uses

We have no reports for this species but the following report is for the closely related P. hexandrum.

Fruit - raw. It must only be eaten when it is fully ripe[, , , ]. Juicy but insipid[]. The fruit is about 5cm long[].

Medicinal

The plant is antiphlogistic and depurative[].

The following report is for the related P. hexandrum. It quite probably also applies to this species.

The whole plant, but especially the root, is cholagogue, cytostatic and purgative. The plant contains podophyllin, which has an antimyotic 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[]. This species contains about twice the quantity of active ingredient than P. peltatum[].
The roots contain several important anti-cancer lignans, including podophyllin and berberine[]. The roots are also antirheumatic[].
The root is harvested in the autumn and either dried for later use or the resin is extracted[]. This plant is highly poisonous and should only be used under the supervision of a qualified practitioner[]. It should not be prescribed for pregnant women[].

Other Uses

None known

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[].