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Ranunculaceae
Goldenseal
Hydrastis canadensis
Healing roots and woodland wisdom.
- Family
- Ranunculaceae
- Genus
- Hydrastis
- Native to
- eastern North America
- Bloom season
- Spring
- Type
- rhizomatous perennial
- Height
- 15–30 cm
- Sunlight
- full to part shade
- Soil
- rich, moist, well-drained woodland
- Water
- medium
- Hardiness
- 3–8
- Lifespan
- long-lived perennial
Did you know
- Once so heavily harvested for herbal medicine that wild populations are now listed on CITES Appendix II.
- The bright golden-yellow rhizome gives the plant its name and was a source of natural dye for Native peoples.
- Each stem bears just two large palmate leaves and a single small flower with no petals — only stamens.
- After flowering, it produces a single bright red 'raspberry' fruit that is inedible but striking.
- Cherokee and Iroquois used it for skin conditions, sore eyes, and digestive complaints long before settlers.
Color meanings
White
pure restorative grace