Caulophyllum thalictroides
Blue cohosh
Caulophyllum thalictroides, commonly known as Blue Cohosh, is a perennial herb native to North America. Traditionally valued in herbal medicine, it has been used to support reproductive health and regulate menstrual cycles. This botanical species is characterized by its distinct blue berries and delicate, compound foliage found in woodlands.
- Scientific name: Caulophyllum thalictroides
- Family: Berberidaceae
- Native range: Northern America
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and is classified under the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and order Ranunculales, it is further nested within the family Berberidaceae. Finally, it is specifically identified under the genus Caulophyllum.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Ranunculales | WCVP |
| Family | Berberidaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Caulophyllum | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Caulophyllum thalictroides, is referred to by several different common names depending on the language. In English, it is known as blue cohosh, while in Hungarian, its name is kék indiángyökér. In Japanese, the species is identified by the names ブルーコーッシュ and カリオフィルム・サリクトロイデス.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| hu | kék indiángyökér | Wikidata |
| ja | ブルーコーッシュ | Wikidata |
| en | blue cohosh | Wikidata |
| ja | カリオフィルム・サリクトロイデス | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution across several regions of North America. In Western Canada, its presence is noted within the province of Manitoba. Moving toward the east, the species can be found in the provinces of Ontario, Québec, and New Brunswick. Its range also extends into the North-Central United States, specifically within the state of Illinois. Collectively, these locations highlight the diverse environments where the plant thrives.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Western Canada | Manitoba | WCVP |
| Eastern Canada | New Brunswick | WCVP |
| Eastern Canada | Ontario | WCVP |
| Eastern Canada | Québec | WCVP |
| North-Central U.S.A. | Illinois | WCVP |
| North-Central U.S.A. | Iowa | WCVP |
| North-Central U.S.A. | Kansas | WCVP |
| North-Central U.S.A. | Minnesota | WCVP |
| North-Central U.S.A. | Missouri | WCVP |
| North-Central U.S.A. | North Dakota | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant possesses specific anatomical structures that contribute to its medicinal profile, particularly within its underground parts. The rhizomes serve as the primary subterranean organ, functioning as a storage system for nutrients and essential compounds that characterize the species. These thickened, horizontal stems grow beneath the soil surface, allowing the plant to persist through various environmental conditions while concentrating the bioactive elements used in herbal preparations.- Total parts
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| underground parts | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| rhizomes | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Caulophyllum thalictroides has 10 reported phytochemicals identified across 10 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include N-methylcytisine, alpha-isolupanine, anagyrine, baptifoline, lupanine.
- Total chemicals
- 10
- Scientific sources
- 10
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| N-methylcytisine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| alpha-isolupanine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| anagyrine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| baptifoline | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| lupanine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| magnoflorine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| oleanolic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| sparteine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| taspine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| thalictroidine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Caulophyllum thalictroides has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include hepatoma.
- Total uses
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| hepatoma | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |