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NC Native Plant Society:
Plant Details

Hydrastis canadensis

Goldenseal

Scientific Name:

Hydrastis canadensis

Genus:

Hydrastis

Species Epithet:

canadensis

Common Name:

Goldenseal

Plant Type

Herb/Wildflower

Life Cycle

Perennial

Plant Family

Hydrastidaceae (Golden-Seal Family)

Native/Alien:

NC Native

Invasive Status:

(*Key)

Size:

0-1 ft.

Bloom Color(s):

White

Light:

Part Shade - 2 to 6 hours of sun per day, Less than 2 hours of sun per day

Soil Moisture:

Moist

Bloom Time:

April, May

Growing Area:

Mountains, Piedmont

Habitat Description:

Mesic (rarely drier), very nutrient-rich forests, with circumneutral soils, over calcareous or mafic rocks such as limestone, amphibolite, and dolostone, sometimes forming large colonies after canopy disturbance such as logging. Rare in the mountains, and very rare in the far northern Piedmont. This is a Significantly Rare species.

Leaf Arrangement:

Alternate, Basal

Leaf Retention:

Deciduous

Leaf Type:

Leaves veined, not needle-like or scale-like

Leaf Form:

Simple

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Wildlife Value:

Important for Wildlife

Landscape Value:

Recommended and Available

State Rank:

S3: Vulnerable (*Key)

Global Rank:

G3 - Vulnerable, G4 - Apparently Secure (*Key)

State Status:

SC-V: Special Concern: Vulnerable, Exploited (*Key)

Notes:

Exploited for the herbal trade (and still often used as a home remedy in more remote parts of the mountains), though too rare in the eastern part of our area to support economically significant wild collection. The rhizome and roots are bitter in taste and contain several alkaloids.

Showy white stamens surround green ovaries (no petals); leaves are palmate

Forsyth County NC (wildflower garden)

The Scientific Name is Hydrastis canadensis. You will likely hear them called Goldenseal. This picture shows the Showy white stamens surround green ovaries (no petals); leaves are palmate of Hydrastis canadensis

Lisa Lofland Gould

Bright red berry sits above the large, palmate leaves

Forsyth County NC (wildflower garden)

The Scientific Name is Hydrastis canadensis. You will likely hear them called Goldenseal. This picture shows the Bright red berry sits above the large, palmate leaves of Hydrastis canadensis

Lisa Lofland Gould

Grows to 10-15" tall with a single, large, palmately lobed, basal leaf and two stem leaves. The leaves tend to have a wrinkled appearance.

Orange Co., NC, -cultivated

The Scientific Name is Hydrastis canadensis. You will likely hear them called Goldenseal. This picture shows the Grows to 10-15

Bettina Darveaux

Links:

USDA PLANTS Database Record



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