Flowers of Podophyllum hexandrum,a native of the Himalayas in N India to China,family Podophyllaceae. Podophyllum species are the source of podophyllotoxin,a cytotoxic substance extracted from the rhizomes ( roots ) which arrests cell division at metaphase. Podophyllotoxin is the starting material for the production of the anticancer drugs etoposide and teniposide. Dried P. hexandrum roots contain up to 4% of podophyllotoxin,making this species favoured as a commercial source of the product. The picture shows a plant growing in Norfolk UK in May. P. hexandrum is an unusual and attractive rhizomatous hardy perennial suitable for shady situations | |
Licence : | Droits gérés |
Crédit: | Science Photo Library / Burgess, Dr. Jeremy |
Taille de l’image : | 5212 px × 3468 px |
Model Release : | Non requis |
Property Release : | Non requis |
Restrictions : | - |