Podophyllum
/ˌpɒdə(ʊ)ˈfɪləm/ /pəˈdɒfɪləm/noun
1A genus of the family Berberidaceae, comprising herbaceous plants with thick, creeping rhizomes, large, peltate, palmately lobed leaves, and white flowers; (also podophyllum) a plant of this genus, especially the mayapple, Podophyllum peltatum, of eastern North America, or P. hexandrum of the Himalayas.
- Valid publication of the genus name: Linnaeus Species Plantarum (1753) I. 505..
2The dried rhizome of the mayapple, Podophyllum peltatum or P. hexandrum.
Origin
Mid 18th century; earliest use found in New & Complete Dictionary Arts & Science. From scientific Latin Podophyllum (Linnaeus Systema Naturae), apparently shortened from Anapodophyllum, lit. ‘duck's-foot leaved’, so called on account of the shape of the leaf from ana- + scientific Latin podo- + ancient Greek ϕύλλον leaf.