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Published In: Flora Boreali-Americana (Michaux) 1: 204. 1803. (Fl. Bor.-Amer.) Name publication detailView in BotanicusView in Biodiversity Heritage Library
 

Project Name Data (Last Modified On 8/11/2017)
Acceptance : Accepted
Project Data     (Last Modified On 7/9/2009)
Status: Native

 

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1. Caulophyllum thalictroides (L.) Michx. (blue cohosh)

Pl. 301 h–j; Map 1272

Plants perennial herbs, with rhizomes 5–7 mm thick. Aerial stems 40–60 cm tall, without spines. Leaves cauline, 2 per plant, often not fully expanded at flowering time; lower leaf 3 times ternately compound, 20–32 cm long, usually sessile, occasionally with a petiole to 4.5 cm long; upper leaf twice ternate, 8.5–14.0 cm long. Leaflets obovate, sometimes 2- or 3-parted, and generally with a few rounded teeth, the upper surface green, the lower surface glaucous. Inflorescences terminal, open clusters or small panicles of 4–16 flowers, 13–60 mm long, sometimes with a second inflorescence in the axil of the upper leaf. Flowers with 3 or 4 sepal-like bracts immediately below the calyx. Sepals 6, 3–5 mm long, yellow, purple, or green. Petals 6, 1–2 mm long, yellow, purple, or green, bearing nectaries. Stamens 6, anthers attached at the base, opening by 2 apical flaps. Fruit wall rupturing early in development to expose the developing seeds. Seeds 1 or 2 per fruit, 6–9 mm long, spherical, each on a thick stalk 4–7 mm long, the seed coat fleshy, blue, glaucous. 2n=16. April–May.

Scattered nearly throughout Missouri, but less common in the western half of the state (New Brunswick south to northern Georgia, west to Arkansas and southern Manitoba). Mesic upland forests, often on rich slopes in ravines, bottomland forests, and shaded ledges of bluffs.

Rootstocks of blue cohosh were used medicinally by Native Americans for a variety of treatments, including rheumatism, toothaches, menstrual problems, and various ailments of the digestive and urinary tracts (Moerman, 1998). The berrylike seeds are considered poisonous and the plants rarely can cause dermatitis in some people.

 


 

 
 
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