Twinleaf, Rheumatism Root
Jeffersonia diphylla
Family: Berberidaceae
What it is like
Bloom Color: White. Main Bloom Time: Late spring, Mid spring. Form: Upright or erect.
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.
Height (m): 0.2
Where it is found
Very rare in the wild, it is found in limestone soils and rich woods near rivers.
Eastern N. America - New York and Ontario to Alabama and west to Wisconsin.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 0
Medicine
Rating: 2
The whole plant is antispasmodic, diuretic, emetic, expectorant and tonic. An infusion is used in the treatment of diarrhoea, dropsy, gravel and urinary problems. The root is emetic in large doses and expectorant in smaller doses. The root contains berberine, which has been shown to have anti-tumour activity. A poultice of the plant is applied to sores, ulcers and inflamed parts.
Antispasmodic: Relaxes muscular spasms and cramps, calming nervous irritation.
Cancer: Used in the treatment of cancer.
Diuretic: Acts on the kidneys, promoting the flow of urine.
Emetic: Induces vomiting.
Expectorant: Clears phlegm from the chest by inducing coughing.
Poultice: A moist, usually warm or hot, mass of plant material applied to the skin in the treatment of burns etc.
Tonic: Improves general health. Slower acting than a stimulant, it brings steady improvement.
Urinary: Treats urinary problems, including urinary tract infection (UTI).
Other
Rating:
Food Forest: Plants for Edible Forest Gardens and Food Forests.
How it is grown
Landscape Uses:Rock garden, Woodland garden. Prefers a light sandy, peaty or humus-rich woodland soil and a rather shady situation. Suitable for a choice position in a cool leafy soil. Plants are hardy to at least -20°c. A slow-growing plant. Plants have an extensive root system and resent disturbance. 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. The root pattern is fibrous dividing into a large number of fine roots.
Propagating it: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. 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.
Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; not Deep Shade;
Habit: Perennial
Hardiness: 5-8
Growth: Slow
Soil: Light (sandy), medium
Shade: Full shade, semi-shade
Moisture: Moist
Things to keep in mind
Its other names
Local names
Synonyms
J. binata. Podophyllum diphyllum.