BLUE COHOSH (Papoose Root. Squawroot) 



Caulophyllam thalictroides (L.) Michx. 



April-May It is a strange, aloof plant, the blue cohosh, as it stands 

 Woods in the damp April woods. There is nothing else quite like 



it, this member of the Barberry family, for although it is 

 related to mayapples, barberries, and Oregon grape, it seems to have little 

 which connects it in appearance with these dissimilar plants. 



I'p tlu-ough the damp leafmold of the northern woods there rises 

 a single pale, downy stem from a knotty root. The stem bears a single 

 leaf or two, each of which actually appears to be three groups of three 

 leaflets much resembling those of meadow rue or Thalictrum, hence the 

 specific name. The true leaf, however, is so divided that it appears to 

 be more than one. Above it stands a loose cluster of flowers. They are a 

 pale, brassy, greenish lavender with six blunt sepals and a curious center 

 composed of six small, pouched petals. There are six stamens and a 

 single pistil. Aloof and tall among the April llowers covering the forest 

 floor, the plant of blue cohosh stands alone. 



In August, in place of the flowers, there is a loose cluster of military- 

 blue fruits which are soon eaten l)y birds. The leaves by this time have 

 hardened and have g"ro\\ n dark green, but still are no more abundant 

 than before. 



Papoose root, blue, cohosh, squaw I'oot, bluebeiTv — these all are names 

 given to Caulophyllum tlialictroidrs-. livery one of its names has meaning. 

 C'aulophyllum means stem-leaf, since the stem seems to form a stalk for 

 the great compound leaf. The medicinal root was used by the Indians as 

 ;in antispasmodic in infant convulsions — papoose root— and as an aid in 

 (|uiek childbirth — sfjuawroot. Th(> bright blue fi'uits easily gave it the 

 name of blueberry. 



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