Bruso, George H.
Hydrastis canadensis L.
Goldenseal
Ranunculaceae (Buttercup Family)
Goldenseal becomes 6-12 in. tall, usually bearing three maple-like, shiny-green leaves. The
stem is terminated by a single, white flower with yellow
stamens followed by a tight cluster of red fruit. 1 large, wrinkled, basal leaf and a hairy stalk bearing 1 flower above a pair of 5-lobed
stem leaves, all rising from a yellow, underground stem.
Lacking petals and losing the
sepals early, the flowers of this species owe their color to the many whitish stamens. The plant was used medicinally by
Native Americans and colonists and is still in use today, ranking with American Ginseng (
Panax quinquefolius) of the ginseng family (Araliaceae) as one of the most collected of eastern North American medicinal herbs. Its current rarity is due at least in part to overcollection.
Image Gallery:
8 photo(s) available
Plant Characteristics
Duration: Perennial Habit: Herb Fruit: Red
Size Class: 0-1 ft.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White
Bloom Time: Apr , May
Distribution
USA: AL , AR , CT , DE , GA , IL , IN , IA , KS , KY , MD , MA , MI , MN , MS , MO , NJ , NY , NC , OH , PA , TN , VT , VA , WV , WI
Canada: ON Native Distribution: VT to MI & MN, s. to VA, mts. of GA, AL, TN & AR
Native Habitat: Deep, rich woods
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N) Growing Conditions
Light Requirement: Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
Soil pH: Circumneutral (pH 6.8-7.2)
Soil Description: Moist, humus-rich soil.
Conditions Comments: A
deciduous leaf winter cover is desirable. A good ground cover for moist, shady places. The knotty yellow rhizomes are used in medicine and have been collected so extensively that the plant is nearly exterminated.
2012-10-03
