Podophyllum peltatum (American mandrake). Also known as 'May apple'.
- Sue Snell
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Description
Close-up of seedling with dark copper leaves. 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).