Hydrastis canadensis
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- hy-DRASS-tiss kan-ah-DEN-sis
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Hydrastis canadensis, or golden seal, is a perennial herb from a thick rhizome with yellowish cell sap. It has two leaves, near the top of an unbranched stalk, that are 3- to 7-lobed. The flower is solitary, with many greenish-yellow to greenish-white stamens and pistils and no petals. The inedible fruit is berry-like, crimson.
The plant has been cultivated commercially on a small scale in the mountains as a medicinal plant due to use of the rootstock as a digestive aid, insect repellent and yellow dye. It has been listed as endangered or of special concern in North Carolina.
Habitat: 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
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Hydrastis
- Species:
- canadensis
- Family:
- Ranunculaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Rootstock was used as a tonic or diuretic.
- Life Cycle:
- Bulb
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Root Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Eastern North America
- Wildlife Value:
- This plant attracts birds, bees, flies, and squirrels.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 9 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 9 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Poisonous
- Wildflower
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Coarse
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
- Fruit Description:
- Red fruit displays from June to August.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Insignificant
- White
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Solitary, with many stamens and pistils and no petals. White flowers bloom from April to May.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Rough
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Leaf Shape:
- Palmasect
- Leaf Margin:
- Lobed
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- 2 leaves, near top of unbranched stem, 3- to 7-lobed and toothed
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Native Garden
- Shade Garden
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Songbirds
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
