WILD YAM Dioscorea villosa L - Frostburg State University

APPALACHIAN PLANT MONOGRAPHS
Prepared by Tai Sophia Institute
For
Appalachian Center for Ethnobotanical Studies
September 2011
Dioscorea villosa L.
Wild yam
Chief Author and Editor: Andrew Pengelly PhD, AHG, FNHAA
Assistant Author: Kathleen Bennett
Editorial Team: James Snow AHG
Bevin Clare MS, AHG
Nora Zietz
Deborah Mizur
Lindsay Kluge
Mimi Hernandez
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WILD YAM Dioscorea villosa L.
1. Taxonomy
Dioscorea villosa L.
Dioscorea is a widely distributed genus with well over 600 species worldwide.
Family: Dioscoreaceae
Common names: Wild yam, colic root, rheumatism root
Synonyms: The Plant List (2010) names numerous synonyms including D. quaternata Walter
and D. hirticaulis Bartlett.
Other North American species include D. floridana Bartlett and D. mexicana Scheidw. D.
batatas Decne. - a native of China - is occasionally found escaped from cultivation. D.
quaternata was previously described as a separate species (Gleason & Cronquist 1991), however
it is now regarded as synonymous with D. villosa (The Plant List, 2010).
Figure 1. Image from Handbook of Pharmacognosy by Otto A. Wall 1917. C.V. Mosby Co., St.
Louis.
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2. Botanical description and distribution
D. villosa is a deciduous perennial herbaceous twiner that grows counterclockwise over small
and medium-size shrubs. The upper leaves are alternate, heart-shaped and shiny with long
petioles, entire margins, prominent veins and acuminated apices. The lowermost leaves are
usually arranged in whorls. The plants are dioecious. Small staminate (male) flowers are white
and perfumed, and arranged in panicles, while carpelate (female) plants produce small solitary
flowers at the leaf nodes. The fruit is a membraneous 3-valved capsule with one or two
chocolate-colored winged seeds in each locule (Albrecht, 2006). The long, cylindrical seldom
branched rhizomes grow to 5-10 mm in diameter, with numerous tough, slender roots attached
underneath.
Distribution: Eastern USA, most common in the central and southern regions, wet woodlands
from Connecticut-Tennessee, Texas-Minnesota. It prefers moist open woods, thickets and
roadsides (Gleason & Cronquist, 1991).
Part Used
Dried rhizome and roots
Note: In alignment with the traditional literature, this monograph may use the term “root” to
imply both root and rhizome.
3. Traditional uses
Traditional uses in Appalachia
D. villosa is found all over the Appalachian region, and is a popular herbal remedy for pains
associated with rheumatism and arthritis, colic and intestinal cramps, proving itself a reliable
antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory (Howell, 2006). Of all remedies, it is the most effective in
the treatment of bilious colic, as well as being a useful treatment for rheumatism (Crellin &
Philpott, 1990).
Other traditional uses
Native American use
D. villosa was most commonly used by Native Americans to help relieve labor pains at the time
of delivery (Moerman, 1998). Otherwise it was not widely used, possible as the rhizome is quite
hard and unpalatable as food (Cech, 2000), unlike some other species of yam.
Folklore & Home
Warren (1859) encouraged the home use of D. villosa for nausea and spasms during pregnancy,
as well as for the treatment of bilious colic. Gunn (1859) recommended making a decoction of
one ounce of powder in one quart of boiling water to be taken every half hour in doses of “one
half to a tea cup full” until intestinal cramping is relieved. He also suggests using the tincture in
doses of one half to a full teaspoon, however it is implied that this is an uncommon form of use.
Salter (1877) encouraged the liquid extract in doses of one teaspoon every five minutes until
relaxation [of intestines] is perfect. Meader (1861) recommended the tincture of D. villosa as an
expectorant.
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Physiomedical
Physiomedicalist W. Cook (1869) used a warm infusion of the root of D. villosa as a relaxant to
ease nervous excitement and muscular tension, relieving gas and pains of the bowels. He also
used the root as a remedy for female reproductive troubles such as “painful menstruation,
neuralgia of the womb, vomiting during gestation and the painful knottings of the uterus incident
to the latter stages of pregnancy…as well as labor pains and after pains” (Cook, 1869).
Eclectic
Eclectic physician John Fyfe (1909) considered D. villosa an excellent remedy for all manner of
gut conditions, from the intestines to the liver to the gallbladder, claiming that it relieved
“hepatic congestion”. He stated D. villosa was “directly curative” of colicky conditions, as well
as useful in the treatment of gallstones and in nausea accompanying pregnancy. Ellingwood
(1919) also accounted for a broad range of uses of D. villosa including treatment of both bilious
colic and female reproductive disorders. He described it as an anodyne, claiming D. villosa
relieved spasms and pains almost immediately, and suggested that if no relief was felt within two
hours that use should be discontinued. Regarding its use as a female reproductive tonic he
explained, “In neuralgic dysmenorrhea, in ovarian neuralgia, in cramp like pains in the uterus at
any time and in sever after pains it often acts satisfactory, quickly relieving the muscular spasm”.
Moore (1930) reiterated Ellingwood‟s claims that D. villosa acted as a reproductive remedy
saying that it was an excellent treatment for afterpains and spasmodic dysmenorrhea (Moore,
1930).
Regulars
Dr. Paine (1874) related accounts of fellow practitioners and their successes and/or failures in
using specific drugs. According to Paine, Henry Summers, a practicing family physician, was
extremely successful in using D. villosa to address the symptoms of bilious colic and “any other
portions affected by the nervous system”. The initial treatment was given to a forty-year-old
woman “laboring under a severe form of affection for three days…” (Paine 1874). The second
dose relieved the violence of the paroxysm and in two hours the vomiting and pain had been
entirely controlled although there was gastric and enteric inflammation for several days.” Paine
also stated the extract preparation was successful in treating various forms of neuralgia, spine,
brain, and uterine complaints (Paine, 1874).
4. Scientific Research
Phytochemistry
Steroidal saponins
During the 1930s Japanese investigators first discovered the saponin disogenin from an oriental
yam (D. tokoro) (Fujii & Matsukawa, 1936). Subsequently Russell Marker and co-workers from
Pennsylvania State College conducted extensive investigations into the chemistry and
biosynthesis of steroidal compounds from natural sources, in the process several saponins were
isolated and identified from North American species of the Liliaceae and Dioscoraceae families
(Marker, Turner, Shabica, et al., 1940), including diosgenin from D. villosa (Marker, Turner, &
Ulshafer, 1940). Marker also described methods for conversion of diosgenin into testosterone
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and other steroids (Marker, 1940), ultimately leading to synthesis of cortisol and contraceptives.
A major screening program revealed that well over 100 species of the Dioscorea genus contained
the sapongenin diosgenin (Martin, 1969). Since then dozens of glycosides based on the steroidal
aglycone structure of diosgenin have been identified, and these are classified as either
furanospiral or spirostanol depending on whether the „f-ring‟ is open or closed (Sautour, Mitaine-
Offer, & Lacaille-Dubois, 2007). All these saponins are hydrolyzed in vivo by intestinal bacteria,
thus releasing the active constituent diosgenin.
Rha
Glc
Rha
O
Dioscin from Dioscorea villosa
O
O
Figure 2. Structure of dioscin, a spirostanel saponin.
Figure reproduced from The Constituents of Medicinal Plants (Pengelly, 2004).
Sautour and co-workers have reported six saponins for D. villosa: protodioscin, ME
protodioscin, parrisaponin, dioscin, progenin III (= prosapogenin A of dioscin) and progenin II
(Sautour, Miyamoto, & Lacaille-Dubois, 2006; Sautour et al., 2007). Using H, C and 2D NMR
spectroscopy Hayes et al. (2007) identified four major and three minor steroidal saponins in
quantitative terms. The major saponins (none of which were reported by Santora et al.) included
two furanostanol types - methyl parvifloside and protodeltonin - as well as two spirostanol types
– deltonin and glucosidodeltonin. The furostanol saponins were the most common constituent in
autumn harvested samples whereas the spirostanol saponins were predominant in summer
harvested material. The minor saponins (which were reported by Sautour) were
methylprotodioscin, disoscin and prosapogenin A of diosgenin (Hayes et al 2007). Morgan
(2011) notes that some commercial extracts are standardized to diosgenin rather than dioscin,
and that such extracts may be derived from other species (eg Chinese yam, D. oppositifolia L.)
which may lack the full chemical profile of D. villosa.
Another spirostanol saponin, not previously identified in Dioscorea spp., was recently isolated
using preparative HPLC (Hu, Lin, Liu, & Yang, 2007).
Table 1. Classification of major diosgenin based saponins in D. villosa
SPIROSTANOL
Dioscin
Parrisaponin
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Prosapogenin A of dioscin (progenin III)
progenin II
Deltonin
Glucosidodeltonin (Zingiberensis I)
FURANOSTANOL
Protodioscin
Methyl protodioscin
Methyl parvifloside
Methyl protodeltonin
Flavonoids
Two flavan-3-ol glycosides have been isolated from D. villosa (Sautour, Miyamoto, Lacaille-
Dubois, 2006)
Other constituents
Other constituents identified include phytosterols (sitosterol, stigmasterol, taraxerol), the alkaloid
dioscorine, tannins, starch, vitamins b and c, beta carotene and minerals (Braun & Cohen, 2010).
Pharmacology
Hormonal effects
Most of the biomedical research associated with the species is based on the activity of dioscin
and diosgenin. Despite the fact that the molecule can be converted to hormones such as
progesterone and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) by several enzymatic steps in the laboratory,
there is conflicting evidence as to whether diosgenin has prostergenic activity in itself, and
attempts to market it as such have been dubbed by some “the wild yam scam” (Foster &
Johnson, 2006). However, estrogenic action on the mammary epithelium of ovariectomized mice
has been reported (Aradhana, Rao, & Kale, 1992), while other studies have provided mixed
results (Zava, Dollbaum, & Blen, 1998). In one study diosgenin was able to protect the kidneys
of rats from morphological changes associated with ovariectomy, posited as occurring due to
conversion of diosgenin to progesterone in vivo (Tucci & Benghuzzi, 2003). However any direct
hormonal effect that can be attributed to D. villosa is in fact estrogenic (Morgan, 2011).
When postmenopausal women were given diosgenin-containing edible yam (D. alata) as 30% of
their diet for 30 days they had increases in serum estrogens and decreases in serum androgen
levels (Wu, Liu, Chung, Jou, & Wang, 2005). A couple of recent studies focusing on
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osteoporosis and bone formation have investigated the possible interrelationship between
diosgenin and steroid hormones.
Osteogenesis
Studies based on ovariectomized rat models compared treatments between diosgenin and DHEA
and found they behaved in a similar fashion (Scott, Higdon, et al., 2000). In ovariectomyinduced
osteoporosis, diosgenin along with DHEA and estrogen were all found to reduce bone
loss in the rats (Higdon, Scott, et al., 2001). In an in vitro study, diosgenin upregulated the
growth-factor VEGF-A, and promoted angiogenesis through activation of the protein HIF-1 via
estrogen-dependent signaling pathways (Yen et al., 2005). Subsequently the osteogenic (as
distinct from “estrogenic”) effect of diosgenin has been linked to enhancement of Type 1
collagen, alkaline phosphatase and other bone marker proteins in osteoblastic cells (Alcantara et
al., 2011.)
Antiproliferative effects
Numerous studies have demonstrated some cytotoxic activity by diosgenin and its glycosides
(Hu, Lin, Liu, & Yang, 2007; Sautour et al., 2007). In cell culture studies diosgenin
demonstrated antiproliferative effects through cell cycle arrest, apoptosis induction via
mechanisms that appear to involve nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) induction and prostaglandin E2
synthesis (Moalic et al., 2001). Subsequent studies showed that diosgenin inhibited
osteoclastogenesis through inhibition of NF-κB regulated gene expression, while potentiating
apoptosis induced both by tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and two chemotherapy drugs (Shishodia
& Aggarwal, 2005). Diosgenin also inhibited growth of human colon carcinoma cells in dose
dependent manner, via a mechanism involving suppression of HMG-CoA reductase enzyme
associated with cholesterol biosynthesis (Raju & Bird, 2007). In a recent anti-cancer screening
program using malignant neuroblastoma cells, D. villosa extract was found to have the strongest
tumoricidal activity of 374 herbal extracts tested (Mazzio & Soliman, 2009).
Heptatoprotective and Cardiovascular Effects
An in vivo study on rat models showed that supplementation with 0.5% diosgenin while on a
high cholesterol diet provided a hepatoprotective effect on the high oxidative stress of the diet,
and also an elevated HDL cholesterol level by 1.5 times compared with the control group (Son et
al., 2007). A significantly lower liver cholesterol level was observed with a 7 fold increase in
biliary cholesterol secretion, suggesting that diosgenin may be a promising treatment for
reducing the progression of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease (Son et al., 2007).
Antifungal effects
Steroidal saponins are considered to be an important source of antifungal agents, and numerous
glycosides of diosgenin – including three spirostane saponins found in D. villosa – actively
inhibit Candida albicans and other human pathogenic yeasts in vitro (Sautour et al., 2007).
Anti-inflammatory activity
Few studies are available, however there is evidence of lipoxygenase inhibition in vitro (Nappez,
Liagre, & Beneytout, 1995) and some reported regulation of cyclooxygenase expression (Moalic
et al., 2001).
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Clinical studies
In a double blind cross-over study of 23 women with „troublesome‟ menopausal sysmptoms,
there was no difference in symptoms between the group using a wild yam cream based on D.
villosa and the placebo group following three months of treatment ( Komesaroff, Black, Cable,
& Sudhir, 2009).
5. Modern Phytotherapy
Modern therapeutic use of D. villosa reflects pharmacological research and traditional
indications. Naturopathic uses include spasmodic conditions of the gastrointestinal tract and
associated colicky pain as well as the spasmodic pain of dysmenorrhea (Kuts-Cheraux, 1953).
Volume two of the British Herbal Compendium (2006) lists similar indications but also
emphasizes an anti-inflammatory action beneficial in acute phases of rheumatoid arthritis as well
as musculoskeletal disorders in general. Some respected practitioners suggest there is a hormonal
effect that can be helpful in promoting conception and modulating perimenopausal symptoms
(Mills & Bone, 2000). Other practitioners dispute any significant hormonal activity (Romm,
2010). Modern midwives continue to use it for the nausea and vomiting of pregnancy as well as
threatened miscarriage and for ineffective, hypertonic uterine contractions during labor (Romm,
2010).
Table 2: Modern phytotherapeutic uses of D. villosa
ACTIONS
Spasmolytic Nervine
Anti-inflammatory Mild diaphoretic
Cholagogue
THERAPEUTIC INDICATIONS
Bilious colic, cholecystitis, spasmodic griping pain in stomach and
bowels
Spasmodic dysmenorrhea, uterine cramps, ovarian neuralgia,
salpingitis
Dyspepsia, morning sickness, chronic flatulence, diverticulitis
Acute phase of rheumatoid arthritis, gout, neuralgia
Menopausal symptoms, false labour pains
Leg cramps, intermittent claudication
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(Priest & Priest, 1982; British Herbal Medicine Association, 1983; Mills & Bone, 2000; Braun
& Cohen 2010)
Specific Indications
Bilious colic, acute phase of rheumatoid arthritis (British Herbal Medicine Association, 1983)
Combinations: with Echinacea angustifolia DC. and Hydrastis canadensis L. in salpingitis
With Sambucus nigra L. and Althaea officinalis L. for appendicitis and diverticulitis (British
Herbal Medicine Association, 1983)
Preparations and dosage
Decoction of dried root, 2-4g three times daily
Tincture: 2-10 mL three times daily
Fluid extract (1:1) 2-4mL/ three times daily (British Herbal Medicine Association, 1983)
Toxicity and contrindications
The Botanical Safety Handbook lists D.villosa as Class 1: “Herbs that can be used safely when
used appropriately” (McGuffin, Hobbs, Upton, & Goldberg, 1997).
D. villosa is deemed to be safe for use in cosmetic studies based on short-term toxicity, dermal
irritation, sensitization and genotoxicity tests (Braun & Cohen, 2010).
Based on a single report on a product based on D. opposita found in the Australian Drug
Reactions Advisory Committee (ADRAC) database, a study was conducted to determine whether
giving rats D. villosa extracts for four weeks (0.79 g/kg/d) posed a potential risk to renal and
hepatic health (Wojcikowski, Wohlmuth, Johnson, & Gobe, 2008). Although the study revealed
an increase in collagen formation, growth factors and other markers of renal fibrosis, along with
pro-inflammatory markers in the liver, there were no signs of acute renal or hepatotoxicity.
Based on these findings the authors recommended that D. villosa not be taken for extended
periods of time or when pre-existing kidney damage exists (Wojcikowski et al., 2008).
D. villosa is regulated in the USA as a dietary supplement.
6. Sustainability considerations
Currently found in over two-thirds of the United States (USDA, 2011), D. villosa is listed as "at
risk" by the United Plant Savers (2011) due to habitat loss and over-harvesting. While there are
many different species from the US, Canada, Puerto Rico and South America the phytochemical
properties and percentage composition varies widely, however most do contain diosgenin
(Burnham, 2006; Chu, & Figueiredo-Ribeiro, 1991). Therefore, brokers and direct buyers are
more concerned with diosgenin levels than the specificity of the species (Greenfield & Davis,
2004). Because some medicinal species of Dioscorea are fairly abundant, the sustainability of
other less abundant or rare species may be jeopardized as a result of indiscriminate collecting
practices. The impact on the most abundant species is initially buffered, but will gradually
increase as other species decline.
D. quaternata, previously called D. villosa v. glabra, may have been used as a substitute for D.
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villosa since the 1850s (Cech, 2000), however this is no longer considered to be a separate
species (The Plant List, 2010). D. hirticaulis, another synonym for D. villosa, is listed as rare and
vulnerable globally and historic in Maryland while D. villosa is considered globally secure and is
not listed as endangered, threatened or rare.
Note: D. bulbifera is a non-native to the Southern coastal states and is considered a noxious
weed.
Harvesting & Collection regulations
There are no known restrictions for collecting or harvesting wild yam at this time.
Market data - harvesting impact, tonnage surveys
According to Greenfield & Davis (2004) demand currently exceeds supply; increased
applications as dietary supplements in European, North and South American markets may
continue to increase marketability. Albrecht (2006) felt that overall, specific demand for D.
villosa was relatively low, a claim supported by Greenfield & Davis (2004), who noted that
general brokers are more concerned about the diosgenin levels than the specificity of the species.
Rather than increasing production of Dioscorea plants, industry has been researching ways to
increase diosgenin production in vitro or by chemically converting steroids from other plants
such as fenugreek (Trigonella spp.) (Nagata & Ebizuka, 2002). While this may impact the mass
market nutraceuticals, there will still be a demand for D. villosa roots for organic or value-added
companies. Of the major companies selling wild yam products in North America and Europe, at
least 21% had products containing D. villosa alone; 35% had a combination of mixed
supplements and stand-alone products (Greenfield & Davis, 2004).
Buyers purchasing wild yam roots look for diosgenin levels over 5%, but because wild yam
deteriorates rapidly after harvesting, collection has primarily been limited to low-volume
collectors who are capable of supplying small amounts of roots in a fresh state (Greenfield &
Davis, 2004).
Once collected, any unused roots must be discarded due to deterioration of the bioactive
components, which becomes an economic factor for the grower and collector (Greenfield &
Davis, 2004).
Cultivation
Habitat
Soil requirements for D. villosa cover a fairly wide range of pH and soil environments from part
shade to high light, from hardwood forest to sandy or heavy clay (Filyaw, 2006; PFAF, 2010;
Harding, 1908). The two requirements for growing or cultivating wild yam are moist soils with
good drainage and sunlight to light shade (PFAF, 2010; Burnham, 2006). Mayapples
(Podophyllum peltatum) and black cohosh (Actaea racemosa) are often found growing with D.
villosa (Greenfield & Davis, 2004).
If open fields are used, structures to provide light shade and support for the climbing vines
(Cech, 2002) should be provided. Greenfield and Davis (2004) suggest that shade be seven feet
tall and open to the prevailing winds.
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Propagation
Wild yam has been propagated easily by both seed and root division (Atkinson, n.d.). Field
plants should be spaced about 12-18" apart (Greenfield & Davis, 2004; Cech 2002).
Seed propagation
Both male and female plants must be grown if seed is desired (PFAF, 2010). Filyaw (2006)
suggests that night insects might be responsible for pollination. Seeds are ripe around
Sepetember (Filyaw, 2006), these should be collected and separated from the capsules anytime
after the first frost (Atkinson, 2010). For wild, woods or garden cultivation Atkinson (2010)
suggests that seed can be scattered over the bare ground and sprinkled with garden soil but
should be protected with screening or chicken wire to protect from squirrels or seed eating
animals. If seeds are to be stored, do not let them dry out (Greenfield & Davis, 2004).
For field or controlled propagation, seed should be sown inside in early spring (March-April) and
barely cover, germination takes 1-3 weeks (Fern, 2010). Greenfield and Davis (2004) and
Albrecht (2004) both suggest at least 4 weeks cold stratification, which may not be needed if
seed is gathered in early winter. For greenhouse or seedbed propagation, prick the seedlings as
soon as they have their first true leaves and maintain them the first year, then plant them out the
following spring (Fern, 2010).
Vegetative propagation
Fern (2010) suggests that wild yam can be propagated by basal cuttings during the summer or by
root division once the plants have gone dormant. Root cuttings may produce more than one
shoot, which can be cut about 2-3 inches below the shoot keeping fibrous roots attached and
planted separately (Cech, 2002; Fern, 2010), the remaining tuber may be used in medicine.
Propagation from rhizome division can produce harvestable roots in 2-3 years (Greenfield &
Davis, 2004). Note, some sources suggest using bulbils formed in the leaf axils of wild yam for
propagation, however, D. villosa does not produce bulbils (Albrecht, 2004) a fact which can be
used for identification.
Harvest
According to Greenfield and Davis (2004) plants should be at least four years old before
harvesting. Roots are harvested in the fall, after the aerial parts die back, for optimum
concentration of the medically active ingredients (Atkinson, n.d.). Harvested roots should be
cleaned and washed using a mesh and hose; moldy or discolored areas should be removed and
roots can be cut into smaller pieces for drying (Cech, 2002; Greenfield & Davis, 2004; Albrecht,
2006). Dry these at 70 degrees F for one day, then at 110 degrees F. for two or more days, until
they snap when broken (Cech, 2002; Greenfield & Davis, 2004).
Dried roots can be stored in moisture and light proof bags for up to one year after which they
begin to lose their medicinal value.
Pests
Besides being browsed by wildlife, some plants have been recorded with leaf spot, but overall
there are few reported problems with cultivated D. villosa (Greenfield & Davis, 2004).
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7. Summary – some possibilities moving forward
A significant body of experimental data relating to the biological effects of diosgenin has
been acquired over the last 60-70 years, much of which is not specific to D. villosa. While
these findings may help validate some traditional uses associated with the species,
comprehensive investigations into the activity of D. villosa extracts via the oral route are
long overdue. Further safety data is required to pave the way for future clinical studies.
Clinical investigators would be well served to include one or more certified herbal
practitioners in their research teams. This would help direct the focus away from trendy
products such as the “natural progesterone” creams towards specific clinical applications, as
expounded in the Traditional Use and Modern Phytotherapy sections of this monograph.
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(n.d.). Diosgenin stimulates osteogenic activity by increasing bone matrix protein
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Appendix I. Voucher specimen lodged at the Claude E. Phillips Herbarium, Delaware State
University. Specimen collected at Ohio Botanic Sanctuary, via Rutledge, OH. May 2011.
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