Three Leaf Goldthread
1 media/00-aPGUu6689cdefmHXWqNKPS.size_1250,0,BL,.jpeg_thumb.jpg 2022-02-28T11:13:16-08:00 Neha Shetty a3a6cc6d9c1c75b477ae8cc6996064c5f66f7e53 40021 3 This image contains a record of the Coptis trifolia from the CCH2 digital database. plain 2022-03-02T12:02:01-08:00 20210927 125020 UCLA Herbarium - funded by the National Science Foundation award number 1802199 20210927 125020 Neha Shetty a3a6cc6d9c1c75b477ae8cc6996064c5f66f7e53This page has annotations:
- 1 2022-02-28T11:48:06-08:00 Neha Shetty a3a6cc6d9c1c75b477ae8cc6996064c5f66f7e53 Leaf Clusters. Each stem has 3 leaves of which each leaf has 3 smaller subsections that are not as pronounced as leaflets, but rather appear as somewhat distinguishable sections. These sections may have evolved to increase nutrient absorption efficiency. Neha Shetty 4 plain 2022-03-11T00:38:52-08:00 Neha Shetty a3a6cc6d9c1c75b477ae8cc6996064c5f66f7e53
- 1 2022-02-28T11:47:07-08:00 Neha Shetty a3a6cc6d9c1c75b477ae8cc6996064c5f66f7e53 Delicacy. The plant was as delicate as the Thalictrum fendleri as seen by the paper thin leaves and stems. We question this plant's existence in the harsher swamp environments. Neha Shetty 4 plain 2022-03-11T00:40:44-08:00 Neha Shetty a3a6cc6d9c1c75b477ae8cc6996064c5f66f7e53
- 1 2022-02-28T11:46:51-08:00 Neha Shetty a3a6cc6d9c1c75b477ae8cc6996064c5f66f7e53 Stems. The stems appear to be very long and almost dried out. I wonder if this is because of the excessive care needed for the plant's overall health. Neha Shetty 2 plain 2022-03-11T00:40:45-08:00 Neha Shetty a3a6cc6d9c1c75b477ae8cc6996064c5f66f7e53
- 1 2022-02-28T11:42:37-08:00 Neha Shetty a3a6cc6d9c1c75b477ae8cc6996064c5f66f7e53 Leaves. The leaves seem to be very small, but there is a cluster of them. They look similar to the Thalictrum fendleri. They seem to be looking very similar to clovers, but they do have longer stems than clovers do for sure Neha Shetty 1 plain 2022-02-28T11:42:37-08:00 Neha Shetty a3a6cc6d9c1c75b477ae8cc6996064c5f66f7e53
- 1 2022-02-28T11:47:41-08:00 Neha Shetty a3a6cc6d9c1c75b477ae8cc6996064c5f66f7e53 Base root. The base roots are extremely small, and dark/black appearing. I wonder if this plant was found in shallow areas of the swamp and near land due to its weaker and small looking root structure. Neha Shetty 1 plain 2022-02-28T11:47:41-08:00 Neha Shetty a3a6cc6d9c1c75b477ae8cc6996064c5f66f7e53
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2022-02-16T11:35:21-08:00
A Comparative Analysis: Three Leaf Goldthread and Meadow Rue
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The following page discusses the antiseptic medicinal properties of two plants: Coptis trifolia, our historical Materia Medica studied in the UCLA Herbarium, and Thalictrum fendleri, found in the UCLA Botanical Gardens. This page highlights the physical similarities of the two plants such as size and appearance as well as similarities in their medicinal uses. Coptis trifolia has been used previously to eradicate disease-causing microbial organisms. Thalictrum fendleri was used by the Native Americans to treat cold sores, colds, and gonorrhea, among other health diseases. These two plants are explored through multiple lenses and analyzed from various sources in order to note some significant correlations between them. - By Neha Shetty, Simran Athwal, and Mariah Ghodrat
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2022-03-11T00:48:32-08:00
Introducing the Plants
Coptis trifolia, also known as Three-Leaf Goldthread, has unique characteristics which allude to the plants’ environment and medicinal use. For instance, another common name for Coptis trifolia is "canker-root" because of the fact that early settlers and Native Americans had used this plant to treat mouth sores. The roots and rhizome are said to contain antibacterial properties, such as berberine compound which promotes joint and bone health and cardiovascular and respiratory health, and have been used to flavor beer. The hairless cut edged leaves and stems have been used for stomach discomfort. This plant is primarily found in the Northeastern part of the United States and regions of Canada, particularly in swamp habitats and it ranges to around five to six feet tall.
Similarly, the UCLA Botanical Garden plant, Thalictrum fendleri, also known as Meadow Rue, is similar to the Three-Leaf Goldthread in terms of physical appearance and medicinal purposes. Thalictrum fendleri has similar small white and yellow flowers at the top of the plant like Coptis trifolia. The plant is also around six feet in height and both plants are in the Ranunculaceae family. Although Coptis trifolia is found in the Northeastern part of the United States, Thalictrum fendleri is primarily found in California and western states. The plant’s environment and habitat are similarly found around streamsides and moist areas. Thalictrum fendleri is found to share medicinal uses as in treating stomach discomfort, arthritis and injuries to bones, lung cancer, cough, fevers, headaches, and amongst other things in common, microbial infections.
Discussing the AnnotationsIn our annotations we took note of several important parts of the plant Coptis trifolia. We noted the identifying features of the plant that may distinguish it from other plants such as the details in the structure of the leaves and the frail golden colored roots. Additionally, we noted how the delicacy of the plant and the size of the plant may contribute to its ecological preference for moderate climates. We also made observations about Thalictrum fendleri, a related species to Coptis trifolia that has a similar plant size and leaf structure but other distinguishing features such as its abundance. The Thalictrum fendleri has its own components that differentiate it from the Coptis trifolia, things being the environment and the ground placement.
That being said, we also noted annotations for the five collected images from the Botanical Garden (see above). For instance, a leaf from Salix pedicellariae appears to have curved edges and parallel veins running on the top and bottom of the leaf. The curved edges and veins are unique to the specimen. Another thing we noticed was that the leaf appears to be dying and its colors are fading to a very light brown-white color. On the other hand, the dried-out leaf of sage plant seems to be dried out or about to die. We wonder if this is because it has been on the ground for an excessive time and has not been receiving proper treatment, like water and plant food. The leaf itself is medium-sized and narrow. It has many veins, with the main stem pointing upwards and the veins towards the sides.These annotations are a form of a historical method that can be useful in developing more of an understanding for the collection-based research.
WORKS CITEDHealth Benefits Times. n.d. “Health benefits of Threeleaf goldthread.” https://www.healthbenefitstimes.com/threeleaf-goldthread/Mayeku, Philip Wafula, Ahmed Hassanali, Bernard Turyagenda Kiremire, Josiah Ochieng Odalo, and Christian Hertweck. 2013. “Anti-Bacterial Activities and Phytochemical Screening of Extracts of Different Parts of Thalictrum Rhynchocarpum.” Afr J Tradit Complement Altern Med. 10(5): 341–344. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3847427/Natural Medicinal Herbs. n.d. “Meadowrue Thalictrum polycarpum.” http://www.naturalmedicinalherbs.net/herbs/t/thalictrum-polycarpum=meadowrue.phpRxList. 2021. “Rue.” RxList Inc. Last modified June 11, 2021. https://www.rxlist.com/rue/supplements.htmVadheim, Constance M. 2017. “Plant of the Month (April) : Fendler’s meadow-rue – Thalictrum fendleri.” Last modified April 4, 2017. http://mother-natures-backyard.blogspot.com/2017/04/plant-of-month-april-fendlers-meadow.htmlWatson. n.d. “Thalictrum fendleri.” Plants For A Future. Accessed February 12, 2022. https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Thalictrum+fendleri -
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2022-02-23T11:27:56-08:00
Antiseptics in Nature: An exploratory analysis of Coptis trifolia and Larrea tridentata
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The following research studies common properties of plants used as potential antiseptic medicinal use. Explained more in depth later on, the first page introduces the plant Coptis trifolia, and its common characteristics with a similar plant, Thalictrum fendleri. The second page studies Larrea Tridentata found at the UCLA Herbarium and its living species at the UCLA Botanical Garden. The pages also examine other species found at the UCLA Botanical Garden, with references of possible characteristics which may allude to the specificity and uniqueness of the plants and objects. These three species studied share a common use as an antiseptic. - By Neha Shetty, Simran Athwal, Mariah Ghodrat, Madeline Huttie, and Liam Kordmahale-Izaddoust
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2022-03-11T09:30:07-08:00
Native American Medicinals of Coptis trifolia and Larrea Tridentata
Both the Coptis trifolia and the Larrea tridentata have a past history of being valued by the native Indians and are commonly used in modern herbalism nowadays. Many of the native Indians used these flowering plants as herbs to relieve pain and to treat sores and wounds. Both the flowering plants include alkaloid berberine, which is a mild sedative, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial. Because of the alkaloid berberine, Coptis trifolia and Larrea tridentata promote heart health, bone and joint health, brain health, digestive health, liver health, and are beneficial for the respiratory system. However, each flowering plant was also used for other medicinal purposes.In other words, the native Indians used the flowering plants commonly to treat sores and pain, but each flowering plant had its own strengths that can be used for other medicinal practices, applicable to treating certain diseases. The Coptis trifolia is known to help with gastrointestinal, skin, and mouth problems, while the Larrea tridentata is known to be a powerful herb to treat various illnesses that involve either the cardiovascular, immune, and nervous systems.
Medicinal Uses
As mentioned above, the flowering plants have distinct characteristics when used as a herbal remedy. The Coptis trifolia is used as a gargle for sore throats and made into tea for use as eyewash. It is also known heavily to cure alcoholism and protect against irritated tissue by being a soothing mechanism. For this specific flowering plant, it is known to be helpful to treating gastrointestinal problems such as vomiting, diarrhea, and bacterial dysentery. That being said, Coptis trifolia is regarded to be the most powerful for gastrointestinal issues, treating mouth sores such as canker sores, swollen gums, and tongue ulcers, and for the skin. In terms of skin, it is used topically to treat acne, boils, carbuncles, burns, and infected cuts. On the other hand, Larrea tridentata has its own medicinal properties. Larrea tridentata treats maladies, including sexually transmitted diseases, tuberculosis, chicken pox, dysmenorrhea, and snakebite. The leaves of this flowering plant are very strong as they are used for stiff limbs and menstrual cramps. As the Coptis trifolia is known for gastrointestinal, skin, and mouth issues, the Larrea tridentata is known to treat various illnesses involving the cardiovascular system, immune system, and the nervous system. Larrea tridentata consists of antioxidant properties that help to prevent diseases by decreasing the radical level in the body. In other words, it protects the blood vessels and arteries from the damage caused by high cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, and diabetes. The herb has an ethanolic extract that reduces the total cholesterol, triglycerides, insulin, and enhances the sensitivity of insulin. With the immune system, the flowering plant suppresses and inhibits certain viruses such as human immunodeficiency virus, influenza virus, and human papilloma virus. For the nervous system, Larrea tridentata inhibits the production of oxidative stress by free radicals. It has been recommended as a potential treatment for epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, and Alzheimer's disease.
A Comparative Look at Name and Form of Coptis trifolia and Larrea tridentata
Both Coptis trifolia and Larrea tridentata are flowering evergreens, however, each belongs to a different order and family, respectively Ranunculales, Ranunculaceae and Zygophyllales, Zygophyllaceae. Despite the plants’ differences the origin of their species names is familiar. The scientific names given to both species Coptis trifolia and Larrea tridentata provide species categorization on the basis of physical form, criteria for which many other plant species have been named for. What makes the similarity notable in this instance, however, is that the two antiseptics were named for the same morphological segment, their leaves. “Trifolia" refers to the number of leaves on the plant, the name meaning “three-leaved or three leaflets”. “Tridentata” similarly refers to plant's three toothed leaves. The assigned scientific nomenclature of Coptis trifolia and Larrea tridentata calls to attention three things: (1) that the taxonomical names assigned to the plants are based in outstanding identifiable traits; (2) that the plants share one morphological characteristic pertaining to their foliage; and (3) that both plants are visually set apart within there genus on the basis of their foliage. In addition to the motif shared in the plants' leaves, the flowers of Coptis trifolia and Larrea tridentata appear somewhat similar in form, each with long stem and five petals (though Coptis trifolia may have 5-7), similarities do not extend to color. Coptis trifolia and Larrea tridentata also greatly differ in size, the former growing to a maximum of 6 inches while the later has the potential to surpass 6 feet.
Habitat and Ecology
While both plants observed in this analysis contain antiseptic properties, there are stark differences in the areas to which these plants are native. Coptis trifolia growth is wide, the plant’s native geographic range spanning from Eastern Siberia to the Russian Far East, and Subarctic America to North Central and the North East regions of the United States. In contrast, Larrea tridentata’s distribution is far more localized than that of Coptis trifolia, with its native growth being only Mexico and the southwest and central south regions of the United States. Similarly, the native habitats greatly vary between the two antiseptics. Where Larrea tridentata grows in dry, desert environments, Coptis trifolia is at home in bog-like, wet, and wooded areas. The main differences of these habitats are overt: temperature, coverage, and precipitation. Larrea tridentata’s desert environment is prone to extreme temperature fluctuations, some localities ranging from 5ºF to 117ºF annually. While Coptis trifolia’s preference is for cool areas, it too can survive a range of extreme weathers, reportedly enduring temperatures as low as -49ºF. Coptis trifolia, an undergrowth, prefers low light and at least partial shade coverage which contributes to maintaining idyllic cool temperatures. When growing in a wooded area, this canopy coverage also contributes to soil water retention. Coptis trifolia’s prominent preference for a moist environment is juxtaposed by Larrea tridentata’s characteristic dry environment. Where Coptis trifolia experiences 60-90 inches of precipitation a year in some areas of its distribution and thrives in poorly drained soil conditions, Larrea tridentata has been reported to experience an average as little as 4 and at most 12 inches of precipitation annually depending on the area of distribution. Because of these water levels, the plant's survival is rooted in the deserts’ alluvial soil, a soil defined by its high porosity and therefore need for less water.WORKS CITED
Health Benefits Times. n.d. “Health benefits of Threeleaf goldthread.” https://www.healthbenefitstimes.com/threeleaf-goldthread/
Hortipedia. n.d. “Coptis trifolia”. Accessed March 8. https://en.hortipedia.com/Coptis_trifoliaMarshall, K. Anna. 1995. “SPECIES: Larrea tridentata”. Accessed March 8. https://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/shrub/lartri/all.htmlMayeku, Philip Wafula, Ahmed Hassanali, Bernard Turyagenda Kiremire, Josiah Ochieng Odalo, and Christian Hertweck. 2013. “Anti-Bacterial Activities and Phytochemical Screening of Extracts of Different Parts of Thalictrum Rhynchocarpum.” Afr J Tradit Complement Altern Med. 10(5): 341–344. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3847427/Natural Medicinal Herbs. n.d. “Meadowrue Thalictrum polycarpum.” http://www.naturalmedicinalherbs.net/herbs/t/thalictrum-polycarpum=meadowrue.phpRxList. 2021. “Rue.” RxList Inc. Last modified June 11, 2021. https://www.rxlist.com/rue/supplements.htmStein, M. 1998. “Management Recommendations for Threeleaflet goldthread (Coptis trifolia (L.) Salisb.)”. Accessed March 8. https://www.blm.gov/or/plans/surveyandmanage/MR/VascularPlants/section7.htm#EcologySullivan, Janet. 1992. “SPECIES: Coptis trifolia”. Accessed March 8. https://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/forb/coptri/all.html#DISTRIBUTION%20AND%20OCCURRENCEVadheim, Constance M. 2017. “Plant of the Month (April) : Fendler’s meadow-rue – Thalictrum fendleri.” Last modified April 4, 2017. http://mother-natures-backyard.blogspot.com/2017/04/plant-of-month-april-fendlers-meadow.htmlWatson. n.d. “Thalictrum fendleri.” Plants For A Future. Accessed February 12, 2022. https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Thalictrum+fendleriWikipedia. n.d. “Larrea tridentata”. Accessed March 8. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larrea_tridentata#Habitat