podophyllum

noun

podo·​phyl·​lum ˌpä-də-ˈfi-ləm 

: the dried rhizome and rootlet of the mayapple that is used as a caustic or as a source of the more effective podophyllin

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Podophyllum, genus of herbs including the mayapple

First Known Use

1842, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

podophyllum

noun

podo·​phyl·​lum -ˈfil-əm 

1

capitalized : a small genus of herbs (family Berberidaceae) that have poisonous rootstocks and large fleshy sometimes edible berries

2

plural podophylli -ˈfil-ˌī  or podophyllums : the dried rhizome and rootlet of the mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum) that is used as a caustic or as a source of the more effective podophyllin