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NC Native Plant Society:
Plant Details

Caulophyllum thalictroides

Blue Cohosh, Papooseroot

Scientific Name:

Caulophyllum thalictroides

Genus:

Caulophyllum

Species Epithet:

thalictroides

Common Name:

Blue Cohosh, Papooseroot

Plant Type

Herb/Wildflower

Life Cycle

Perennial

Plant Family

Berberidaceae (Barberry Family)

Native/Alien:

NC Native

Size:

0-1 ft., 1-3 ft.

Bloom Color(s):

Green

Light:

Less than 2 hours of sun per day

Soil Moisture:

Moist

Bloom Time:

March, April

Growing Area:

Mountains, Piedmont

Habitat Description:

Rich forests. Common in the mountains, rare in the Piedmont.

Leaf Arrangement:

Alternate

Leaf Retention:

Deciduous

Leaf Type:

Leaves veined, not needle-like or scale-like

Leaf Form:

Compound

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Wildlife Value:

Has some wildlife value

Landscape Value:

Suitable for home landscapes

State Rank:

S5: Secure (*Key)

Global Rank:

G4 - Apparently Secure, G5 - Secure (*Key)

Notes:

Berries eaten by deer and birds when preferred food sources are not available.

Blooms

image

Max Patch 2001

Blooms close up

image

Tom Harville
May

Leaves

image

Martha Baskin
Nantahala, NC
Aug

Berries

image

Martha Baskin
Nantahala, NC
May

The name comes from the blue berries.

Bluish-green compound leaves with lobed leaflets.

Orange County, NC

The Scientific Name is Caulophyllum thalictroides. You will likely hear them called Blue Cohosh, Papooseroot. This picture shows the Bluish-green compound leaves with lobed leaflets. of Caulophyllum thalictroides

Bettina Darveaux

The pale yellow-green "petals" are actually sepals. The stem is glaucous purple in color.

Orange County, NC

The Scientific Name is Caulophyllum thalictroides. You will likely hear them called Blue Cohosh, Papooseroot. This picture shows the The pale yellow-green

Bettina Darveaux

Fruit develops in the summer (July-Aug)

Jackson County, NC

The Scientific Name is Caulophyllum thalictroides. You will likely hear them called Blue Cohosh, Papooseroot. This picture shows the Fruit develops in the summer (July-Aug) of Caulophyllum thalictroides

Bettina Darveaux

Links:

USDA PLANTS Database Record



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