The Dawes Arboretum
The Dawes Arboretum
The Dawes Arboretum
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Taxon
English
Taxon
Hydrastis canadensis
Common name:
goldenseal, orange-root, yellow-puccoon
Family:
Ranunculaceae (buttercup family)
Distribution:
e. North America
IUCN Red list:
Vulnerable
CITES:
Appendix II
Life form:
Herbaceous perennial
IUCN Red List code:
VU A2cd+4cd; 30 April 2014
Comments:
The thick rhizome (rootstock) of goldenseal was once heavily used in traditional medicine by both Native Americans and colonial settlers as a tonic, diuretic, insect repellent, and dye. Its popularity increased during the mid-19th Century as an herbal remedy, which led to overharvesting and habitat destruction. In large doses, though, it has actually been found to be poisonous. Now, goldenseal is listed as a threatened plant and despite having a wide native range, it is only seen growing in very small populations. Goldenseal bears two palmate, hairy leaves that are toothed and a single small flower consisting only of greenish white stamens (no petals). The flowers bloom in April and give way to inedible red raspberry-like berries.
Links:
•
Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN Taxonomy)
•
IUCN Redlist of Threatened Species
•
USDA PLANTS Database - US Department of Agriculture
Locations
1:
Woodland Garden (WLG)
(WLG)
• Accession: D0000-1989
Area
Individual