What is blue cohosh

Seeds are protected by fleshy coating. Cohosh is believed to be a New England Algonquin name describing this and other flowers of the Barberry Berberidaceae family including Black Cimicifuga racemosa and White Cohosh Actaea alba. Blue alludes to the color of the fruit produced by the mature plant, which is a dark blue-green color. The scientific name, Caulophyllum thalictroides, describes the leaves of the plant that resemble Meadow Rue.

Caulophyllum is derived from kaulos and phylum, which means stem and leaves. The compound leaf of Blue Cohosh is almost without a true petiole.

Thalictroides alludes to the foliage of the plant which resembles the leaves of Early T. Blueberry Root: Refers to the deeply colored fruit produced by the plant at maturity. Papoose Root, Squawroot: Early settlers applied this name after seeing that Native Americans employed the roots for a variety of medical purposes. Each of the petals of the delicate green flower contains nectar glands that are visited by early spring bumblebees and flies.

Both species of insects are also key pollinators for the plant. Because the male and female parts of the flower mature at different times the plant ensures cross-pollination. The berries are actually seeds surrounded by a dark blue fleshy seed coat that protects the brown seed inside. Because the ovarian wall is shed during the early phases of seed development, the fruit is actually a naked seed. The exposure of the seeds is an unusual condition for flowering plants. By bearing its seeds openly, Blue Cohosh is vulnerable to predators that would eat the seeds.

The plant counteracts this vulnerability with the toxicity of its seeds. Blue Cohosh seeds are poisonous to many species including humans. Women who are pregnant should avoid blue cohosh. Talk to your doctor about any supplements or therapy you would like to use. Some can interfere with treatment or make conditions worse.

Dugoua JJ, Perri D, et al. Safety and efficacy of blue cohosh Caulophyllum thalictroides during pregnancy and lactation. Can J Clin Pharmacol. Herbs in epilepsy: evidence for efficacy, toxicity, and interactions. Semin Pediatr Neurol. Complementary and alternative medicine for induction of labour. Women Birth. Jalili J, Askeroglu U, et al. Herbal products that may contribute to hypertension. Accessed 14 Nov. More Definitions for blue cohosh.

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