Caulophyllum thalictroides

(Linnaeus) Michaux

Fl. Bor.-Amer. 1: 204. 1803.

Common names: Blue cohosh squaw-root papoose-root caulophylle faux-pigamon
EndemicIllustrated
Basionym: Leontice thalictroides Linnaeus Sp. Pl. 1: 312. 1753
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 3.

Stems 2-9 dm. Leaves: 1st leaf (3-)4-ternate; 2d leaf (2-)3-ternate; leaflets 3-8 × 2-10 cm. Inflorescences with 5-70 flowers. Flowers: bracteoles 1-3 mm; sepals yellow, purple, green, 3-6 2-3 mm, apically revolute; petals 1-2.5 mm; stamen filaments 0.5-1.5 mm; pistil 1-3 mm; style 0.25-1 mm. 2n = 16.


Phenology: Flowering late spring.
Habitat: Mesophytic forests
Elevation: 0-1200 m

Distribution

V3 363-distribution-map.gif

Man., N.B., Ont., Que., Ala., Ark., Conn., Del., D.C., Ga., Ill., Ind., Iowa, Kans., Ky., Maine, Md., Mass., Mich., Minn., Mo., Nebr., N.H., N.J., N.Y., N.C., N.Dak., Ohio, Pa., S.C., S.Dak., Tenn., Vt., Va., W.Va., Wis.

Discussion

Native Americans used various preparations of the root of Caulophyllum thalictroides medicinally to treat rheumatism, toothaches, profuse menstruation, indigestion and stomach cramps, fits and hysterics, genito-urinary disfunction, gallstones, and fever, as an aid in childbirth, and as a general tonic (D. E. Moermann 1986).

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.
Henry Loconte +
(Linnaeus) Michaux +
Leontice thalictroides +
Blue cohosh +, squaw-root +, papoose-root +  and caulophylle faux-pigamon +
Man. +, N.B. +, Ont. +, Que. +, Ala. +, Ark. +, Conn. +, Del. +, D.C. +, Ga. +, Ill. +, Ind. +, Iowa +, Kans. +, Ky. +, Maine +, Md. +, Mass. +, Mich. +, Minn. +, Mo. +, Nebr. +, N.H. +, N.J. +, N.Y. +, N.C. +, N.Dak. +, Ohio +, Pa. +, S.C. +, S.Dak. +, Tenn. +, Vt. +, Va. +, W.Va. +  and Wis. +
0-1200 m +
Mesophytic forests +
Flowering late spring. +
Fl. Bor.-Amer. +
Endemic +  and Illustrated +
Caulophyllum thalictroides +
Caulophyllum +
species +