plant-banner1

NC Native Plant Society:
Plant Details

Xanthorhiza simplicissima

Brook-Feather, Yellowroot

Scientific Name:

Xanthorhiza simplicissima

Genus:

Xanthorhiza

Species Epithet:

simplicissima

Common Name:

Brook-Feather, Yellowroot

Plant Type

Shrub

Life Cycle

Perennial

Plant Family

Ranunculaceae (Buttercup Family)

Native/Alien:

NC Native

Size:

1-3 ft.

Bloom Color(s):

Purple, Brown

Light:

Sun - 6 or more hours of sun per day, Part Shade - 2 to 6 hours of sun per day

Soil Moisture:

Moist

Bloom Time:

April, May

Growing Area:

Mountains, Piedmont, Sandhills, Coastal Plain

Habitat Description:

Streambanks and riverbanks. Common in NC Mountains and Piedmont, uncommon in Coastal Plain.

Leaf Arrangement:

Alternate

Leaf Retention:

Semi-evergreen

Leaf Type:

Leaves veined, not needle-like or scale-like

Leaf Form:

Compound

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Wildlife Value:

Has some wildlife value

Landscape Value:

Recommended and Available

State Rank:

S5: Secure (*Key)

Global Rank:

G5 - Secure (*Key)

Notes:

prefers moist well-drained soil but tolerates heavy soil.

Buds

image

Cary
© Tom Harville

Just Opening

image

Cary, 26 March 2005
© Tom Harville

Blooms

image

Black Mountain, early April
© MB Baumeister

Closeup of Blooms

image

Black Mountain, early April
© MB Baumeister

Plant in Full Bloom

image

Black Mountain, early April
© MB Baumeister

Blooming Plant This photo shows the leaf and stem more clearly

image

Black Mountain, early April
© MB Baumeister

Gone to Seed

image

Black Mountain, mid May
© MB Baumeister

Plants

image

Black Mountain
© MB Baumeister

Late Fall Foliage

image

© Tom Harville

Close-up of foliage in Spring with its compound leaves of lobed and strongly serrated leaflets.

Orange County, NC

The Scientific Name is Xanthorhiza simplicissima. You will likely hear them called Brook-Feather, Yellowroot. This picture shows the Close-up of foliage in Spring with its compound leaves of lobed and strongly serrated leaflets. of Xanthorhiza simplicissima

Bettina Darveaux

Birds-eye view of this short (1 to 1.5 ft high) woody shrub.

Macon Co., NC

The Scientific Name is Xanthorhiza simplicissima. You will likely hear them called Brook-Feather, Yellowroot. This picture shows the Birds-eye view of this short (1 to 1.5 ft high) woody shrub. of Xanthorhiza simplicissima

Bettina Darveaux

The roots and the broken wood of the stems are bright yellow.

Orange Co., NC-cultivated. Plants originally from Macon Co., NC

The Scientific Name is Xanthorhiza simplicissima. You will likely hear them called Brook-Feather, Yellowroot. This picture shows the The roots and the broken wood of the stems are bright yellow.  of Xanthorhiza simplicissima

Bettina Darveaux

Links:

USDA PLANTS Database Record

NC State Extension
Lady bird Johnson Wildflower Center
 



Permalink - (right click to save this page to your bookmarks)

<<< PREVIOUS

NEXT >>>

back to top
go to plant details search
go to plant images search
go to gallery home
back to Initial x Gallery
back to orchids
back to Carnivorous Plants
back to Trilliums