Coptis trifolia - (image 1 of 6)
Taxonomy
Family: Ranunculaceae
Plants of the eastern Americas are var. groenlandica (Oeder) Fassett.
Habitat
Moist woods, swamps, bogs.
Associates
Distribution
Greenland west to AK and eastern Asia, south to NJ, NC, northern IN, IA, and British Columbia.
Morphology
Perennial from slender, bright yellow rhizomes. Leaves compound with three leaflets. Flowers white; petals 5. Fruit a follicle.
Notes
Flowers May
Wetland Indicator: Facultative Wetland
The bright yellow roots and rhizomes of this plant are bitter and antiseptic. Traditionally used to treat mouth sores and as an antibacterial.
References
Gleason, Henry A. and A. Cronquist. 1991. Manual of Vascular Plants of Northeastern United States and Adjacent Canada. Second Ed.
The New York Botanical Garden. Bronx, NY
Swink, F. and G. Wilhelm. 1994. Plants of the Chicago Region.
Indiana Academy of Science. The Morton Arboretum. Lisle, Illinois.
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© Michael Hough 2004 |