blue cohosh

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• blue cohosh
• papoose-root
• papooseroot
• squawroot

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Leontice thalictroides

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

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.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

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.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Caulophyllum thalictroides is characterized by its existence as a perennial species, meaning it completes its life cycle over multiple years rather than within a single growing season. As a perennial herb, the plant establishes a persistent root system that allows it to endure through seasonal changes and regrow during favorable conditions. This long-term survival strategy enables the plant to invest energy into complex reproductive structures over time, contributing to its stability within its specific ecological niche.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Caulophyllum thalictroides is characterized by a growth form of a non-woody herb, specifically classified as a forb. This plant typically reaches an average height of 0.76 m and functions as a self-supporting organism rather than a climber, possessing both obligatory and facultative self-supporting structures. It is a terrestrial species, existing as an independent organism without parasitic or epiphytic tendencies, maintaining a strictly terrestrial habitat.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

0.76 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Caulophyllum thalictroides is characterized by a specialized metabolic framework adapted to its specific forest understory habitat. Central to its energy production is its photosynthetic pathway, which follows the C3 mechanism; this involves the direct fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide by the enzyme RuBisCO to form a three-carbon compound, a process typical of many shade-tolerant forest perennials that operate in environments where water conservation is less critical than maximizing light harvesting efficiency. Beyond carbon fixation, the plant's physiological processes are governed by its seasonal growth cycle, where metabolic activity is tightly regulated by temperature and light availability to support the development of its rhizomes and reproductive structures. The nutrient uptake and translocation processes are integrated with its C3 metabolism to ensure that the synthesized carbohydrates are effectively distributed for storage and seasonal regrowth.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Caulophyllum thalictroides is characterized by a specific seasonal flowering period that typically commences in April and concludes in May. The plant produces fruit classified as a berry, which is notable for being indehiscent. These fruits have an average width of 0.86 cm and serve as the vessel for seed dispersal, which follows a zoochorous syndrome, relying on animals for movement. The seeds contained within the fruit exhibit varying masses, with a minimum weight of 0.121 g, a maximum of 0.2379 g, and a calculated mean seed mass of approximately 0.198633333 g.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Flowering time :

Apr

Flowering time :

May

Fruit type :

berry

Fruit width mean:

0.86 cm

Seed mass max:

0.2379 g

Seed mass mean:

0.198633333 g

Seed mass min:

0.121 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Caulophyllum thalictroides has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include rhizome.

Rhizome

1. Journal of natural products

Chemicals

Caulophyllum thalictroides has 59 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include ANAGYRINE, Baptifoline, Magnoflorine, (-)-Anagyrine, (-)-Baptifoline.

ANAGYRINE

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of natural products

Baptifoline

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of natural products

Magnoflorine

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of natural products

(-)-Anagyrine

1. Dr. Duke

(-)-Baptifoline

1. Dr. Duke

ALUMINUM

1. Dr. Duke

Ash

1. Dr. Duke

BETA-SITOSTEROL

1. Dr. Duke

CALCIUM

1. Dr. Duke

CAMPESTEROL

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Caulophyllum thalictroides has 469 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include (+)-Inotropic, 5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor, ACE-Inhibitor, AP-1-Inhibitor, Abortifacient.

(+)-Inotropic

1. Dr. Duke

5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

ACE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

AP-1-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Abortifacient

1. Dr. Duke

Absorbent

1. Dr. Duke

Acetylcholinergic

1. Dr. Duke

Acidulant

1. Dr. Duke

Adrenolytic

1. Dr. Duke

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Conditions

Caulophyllum thalictroides has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include hepatoma.

Hepatoma

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Preparations

Caulophyllum thalictroides has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include underground parts.

Underground parts

1. Journal of natural products