Ba Jiao Lian

Dysosma versipellis is a rhizomatous perennial herb of the Berberidaceae, closely allied to the North American mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum). It grows to about 20–40 cm from a stout, knotty horizontal rhizome bearing fibrous roots. Each stem typically bears one or two large peltate, palmately lobed leaves with 6–9 angular lobes, the lamina deep green and often mottled when young. Pendulous, dark red to maroon flowers cluster beneath the leaves in late spring, followed by a fleshy reddish berry. The plant occurs in moist, shaded forests and ravines of central and southern China. The rhizome accumulates podophyllotoxin and related lignans, rendering the plant highly toxic; medicinal use requires strict processing and professional supervision.