Caulophyllum thalictroides

{{Speciesbox

| image = Caulophyllum thalictroides Arkansas.jpg

| image_caption =

| genus = Caulophyllum

| species = thalictroides

| authority = (L.) Michx.

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Caulophyllum thalictroides, the blue cohosh, is a species of flowering plant in the Berberidaceae (barberry) family. It is a medium-tall perennial with blue berry-like fruits and bluish-green foliage. The common name cohosh is probably from an Algonquian word meaning "rough".{{Citation needed|date=January 2022}} The Greek-derived genus name Caulophyllum signifies "stem-leaf", while the specific name thalictroides references the similarity between the large highly divided, multiple-compound leaves of meadow-rues (Thalictrum spp.) and those of blue cohosh.

Description

From the single stalk rising from the ground, there springs a single, large, three-branched leaf, giving rise to a yellow-flowered inflorescence, followed by bluish berries, coated with a glaucous, waxy bloom, somewhat similar in appearance to sloes. The bluish-green leaflets are three-lobed and entire at the base, but serrate at the tip.

Habitat and Distribution

The plant is found in hardwood forests and favors moist coves and hillsides, generally in shady locations, in rich soil. It grows in eastern North America, from Manitoba and Oklahoma east to the Atlantic Ocean.

Pollination

The plant is pollinated early in the season by certain bee species, which are attracted by the nectar glands present on the petals.

Uses

The plant has been used as a medicinal herb by American Indians.{{cite book|last=Cichoke|first=Anthony J.|title=Secrets of Native American herbal remedies: a comprehensive guide to the Native American tradition of using herbs and the mind/body/spirit connection for improving health and well-being|year=2001|publisher=Penguin|isbn=1-58333-100-X|pages=Blue Cohosh|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WQuy8Qgib9AC&q=Blue+cohosh&pg=PT35}} Many Native American tribes, and later European herbologists and mid-wives,{{cite web|last=Henriettesherbal|title=Herbal Abortives and Birth Control|url=http://www.henriettes-herb.com/faqs/medi-3-7-abortives.html|publisher=Henriettes-herb.com|access-date=24 February 2012}} would use this herb in conjunction with other herbs and fluids for abortive and contraceptive purposes.{{cite web|last=Sisterzeus|title=Blue Cohosh|url=http://www.sisterzeus.com/BlueCoh.htm|publisher=Sisterzeus.com|access-date=24 February 2012}}

The seeds have also reportedly been used a coffee substitute.{{cite book |last1=Niering |first1=William A. |author-link1=William Niering| last2=Olmstead |first2=Nancy C. |title=The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Wildflowers, Eastern Region |year=1985 |orig-year=1979|publisher=Knopf |isbn=0-394-50432-1 |page=416}}

Gallery

File:American medicinal plants (Plate 16) (6025391079).jpg|Colored plate from Millspaugh’s American Medical Plants showing anatomical detail of flower and creeping rhizome

File:Caulophyllum thalictroides 001.JPG|Mature clump of plant

File:Caulophyllum thalictroides.jpg|Inflorescence of green-flowered form

File:Caulophyllum thalictroides 3, Blue Cohosh flower, Howard County, MD, Helen Lowe Metzman 2017-05-08-16.30 (35387308242).jpg|Close-up of single flower and flower bud (green-flowered form)

Caulophyllum_thalictroides_002.JPG|Inflorescence of purplish-green-flowered form

File:Blue Cohosh - Caulphyllum thalictroides, Turkey Run Park, McLean, Virginia.jpg|Detail of inflorescence of purplish-green-flowered form, showing single flower full-face

File:Caulophyllum thalictroides.jpeg|Young, flowering shoot of deep-purple-flowered form (leaves still tightly furled)

File:Caulophyllum thalictroides, 2021-04-08, Trillium Trail, 01.jpg|Lateral view of young inflorescence of purple-flowered form (flowers three-quarter-face)

File:Caulophyllum thalictroides, 2021-04-08, Trillium Trail, 02.jpg|Single flower (full-face), flower buds and still furled young foliage of purple-flowered form

File:Caulophyllum thalictroides SCA-03872.jpg|Unripe berries and mature foliage

File:Caulophyllum thalictroides kz1.jpg|Infructescence, bearing three ripe berries and many tiny, green, undeveloped fruit (lateral view)

File:Blue Cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides) - Flickr - wackybadger (1).jpg|Ripe berries of infructescence, viewed from above

File:Thalictrum tuberiferum and Thalictrum aquilegiifolium var. intermedium.JPG|Two Thalictrum species, showing the foliage referenced in the specific name of
C. thalictroides

Chemical Composition

The root contains essential fatty acids, glucosides, phytosterols, saponins, and resinous essential oil.{{Cite book |last=Schneider |first=Anny |title=Plantes médicinales indigènes du Québec et du sud-est du Canada |date=2020 |publisher=Les éditions de l'homme |isbn=978-2-7619-5256-9 |location=Canada |pages=65 |language=fr |trans-title=Native Medicinal Plants of Québec and South-East Canada}}