|
| Figure 110.—Twinleaf (Jeffersonia diphylla) |
Habitat and range.—Twinleaf inhabits rich shady woods from New York to Virginia and westward to Wisconsin.
Description.—Twinleaf is only about 6 or 8 inches in height when in flower but reaches a height of 18 inches at the fruiting stage. The long-stemmed, smooth leaves are almost completely divided into two leaflets and arise directly from the base of the plant. The white flowers measuring about 1 inch across. which appear early in spring, are borne singly on a slender stalk arising from the root and are followed by a leathery, somewhat pear-shaped capsule containing many seeds. Twinleaf has a thick, knotty, yellowish-brown, horizontal root. stock with man fibrous, much-matted roots.
Part used.—The rootstock, collected in autumn.