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Smith, R.W.
Lachnanthes caroliana
Lachnanthes caroliana (Lam.) Dandy
Carolina Redroot, Paint Root
Haemodoraceae (Bloodwort Family)
Synonym(s): Gyrotheca tinctoria, Gyrotheca tinctorium, Lachnanthes caroliniana, Lachnanthes tinctoria, Lachnanthes tinctorium
USDA Symbol: LACA5
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)
Found mostly in coastal environments from Louisiana east to Florida and Cuba and north to Nova Scotia, where it is listed as a threatened species by Canada's Species at Risk Act, Carolina Redroot has grass-like foliage and creamy yellow summer blooms that blend well with other plants native to the eastern coastal plains. It tends to be less common from Tennessee and Maryland northward and is listed as threatened, endangered, or of special concern in several US states. Its seeds are favorites of Sandhill Cranes.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Herb
Root Type: Fibrous
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Normally no more than 3 feet tall, but flowers sometimes exceed that height by 2 or 3 feet.
Leaf: Gray-Green.
Flower: Flowers in 2 to 4 inch clusters.
Fruit: Red juice.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White , YellowBloom Time: Jun , Jul , Aug
Bloom Notes: White to pale yellow. Blooms usually barely taller than the leaves, but occasionally up to 3 feet higher than that.
Distribution
USA: AL , CT , DE , FL , GA , LA , MA , MD , MS , NC , NJ , NY , RI , SC , TN , VACanada: NS
Native Distribution: Nova Scotia to Louisiana in the west and Florida and Cuba in the east and up Mississippi River basin to Tennessee.
Native Habitat: Lakeshores, Longleaf Pine savannas, woods, bogs, swales, coastal plains.
Growing Conditions
Water Use: Medium , HighLight Requirement: Sun , Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
Soil pH: Acidic (pH<6.8)
CaCO3 Tolerance: Low
Drought Tolerance: Low
Soil Description: Sand
Conditions Comments: Requires consistent moisture.
Benefit
Use Ornamental: Excellent for coastal prairie gardens with native grasses.Use Wildlife: Seed prized by Sandhill Cranes. Plant in masses to attract them.
Use Other: Liquid was pressed from rhizomes for a red dye, but the method of use has been lost.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Interesting Foliage: yes
Attracts: Birds
Propagation
Propagation Material: Root Division , SeedsNational Wetland Indicator Status
| Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
| Status: | OBL | OBL | OBL |
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Crosby Arboretum - Picayune, MS
Bibliography
Bibref 1620 - Gardening with Native Plants of the South (Reprint Edition) (2009) Wasowski, S. with A. WasowskiSearch More Titles in Bibliography
Web Reference
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter
Research Literature
Reslit 1292 - Reversal in ovary position from inferior to superior in the Haemodoraceae: Evidence from floral ontogeny (1998) M. G. SimpsonReslit 2363 - Embryological Development of Lachnanthes caroliniana (Haemodoraceae) (1988) M. G. Simpson
This information was provided by the Florida WIldflower Foundation.
Search More Titles in Research Literature
Additional resources
USDA: Find Lachnanthes caroliana in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Lachnanthes caroliana in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Lachnanthes caroliana
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-04-03Research By: TWC Staff