Twin-leaf

Jeffersonia diphylla

Family Berberidaceae

Brief Description: White solitary flowers, 0.5-1.5 inches wide with eight petals. Plant is 6-12 inches tall. Few basal leaves which are divided into two half-ovate segments.

Blooms in April and May.

Geographic Range: From western New York and southern Ontario, to southeast Minnesota, south to Maryland and Alabama.

Habitat: Rich woods, preferably with calcareous soil

Propagation: Three to four weeks after blooming, start checking the seeds. When they darken it is time to collect. Sow the seeds immediately so they do not have time to dry out. Sow in a moist, but well drained, shaded seedbed. Seedlings may take 4-5 years to develop before they are ready to flower.

Garden Use: A fine addition to any rock garden where twin-leaf can be nicely highlighted against darker plants.

Historic Uses: Named after Thomas Jefferson. The root of this plant causes vomiting if taken in large doses or coughing up of phlegm in small doses; this is done to cure ills.