Podophyllum peltatum (American mandrake)

  • Rowan McOnegal
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Podophyllum peltatum (American mandrake). Rowan McOnegal. Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0). Source: Wellcome Collection.

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Known also as "May Apple" Shows droopy trifoliate leaves with small yellow-centred white flower. Contains podophyllin and podophyllotoxin which are irritating to skin and mucous membranes and may cause damage to the central nervous system if ingested. Also a violent purgative. Solutions containing podophyllin have been used as a paint for treating warts, skin neoplasms, and senile keratoses. A semisynthetic derivative of podophyllotoxin is Etoposide which exhibits antitumor activity and is used as a first class cancer chemotherapy drug. The plant is not related to the European Mandrake (Mandragora officinarum).

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