Intro: Erect, colonial perennial from a yellowish rhizome, found in moist (rarely drier), very nutrient-rich forests over circumneutral soils; often over calcareous or mafic rocks such as limestone, amphibolite and dolostone.

Stems: Stem a single, hairy flowering stalk.

Leaves: Leaves usually 1 large (petiolate) basal and 2 smaller (sessile) on the flowering stalk; 1 1/4-4 in. wide; round; palmately divided into 3-9 toothed lobes; wrinkled.

Inforescence:

Flowers: Flower solitary (sometimes 2) on a stalk at top of stem, greenish-white, lacking petals, consisting of a cluster of green ovaries surrounded by many white stamens.

Fruits: Fruit a scarlet red, inedible berry.

Comments: Sometimes forms large colonies after canopy disturbance such as logging. Goldenseal is a native perennial best known for the medicinal properties of its distinctive yellow rhizomes. The ethnobotanical history of this plant dates back to the Cherokee and Iroquois who had a number of uses for Goldenseal. It has been in demand commercially since around 1860 and is now easily found in many health food stores. Much of the Goldenseal used to supply this demand has been wild collected and this is one of the reasons for the plant's rarity.

Height: 10-15 in.

plant sale text: Golden-seal has attractive though unusual greenish-white flowers. Each has stamens and pistils but no petals. Its flowers are followed by showy scarlet-red fruits. Its palmately lobed basal leaves look good from spring until fall, as long as the plant receives adequate moisture. This species is threatened in the wild by overcollecting. Golden-seal prospers as long as its basic needs are met. It prefers slightly acid soil that is well-drained but not too dry. Over time, a single plant will slowly spread to form a dense little colony.

bloom table text:

description: Erect, colonial perennial from a yellowish rhizome, found in moist (rarely drier), very nutrient-rich forests over circumneutral soils; often over calcareous or mafic rocks such as limestone, amphibolite and dolostone.

stems: Stem a single, hairy flowering stalk.

leaves: Leaves usually 1 large (petiolate) basal and 2 smaller (sessile) on the flowering stalk; 1 1/4-4 in. wide; round; palmately divided into 3-9 toothed lobes; wrinkled.

inflorescence:

flowers: Flower solitary (sometimes 2) on a stalk at top of stem, greenish-white, lacking petals, consisting of a cluster of green ovaries surrounded by many white stamens.

fruits: Fruit a scarlet red, inedible berry.

comments: Sometimes forms large colonies after canopy disturbance such as logging. Goldenseal is a native perennial best known for the medicinal properties of its distinctive yellow rhizomes. The ethnobotanical history of this plant dates back to the Cherokee and Iroquois who had a number of uses for Goldenseal. It has been in demand commercially since around 1860 and is now easily found in many health food stores. Much of the Goldenseal used to supply this demand has been wild collected and this is one of the reasons for the plant's rarity.

cultural notes: Both in the wild and in cultivation, the plant goes through three distinct growth stages. In the first year, the plant produces only cotyledons (seed leaves). The second stage produces basal leaves but no stem. At maturity, the plant will produce stems, each with 2-3 palmate leaves and white flowers which appear in spring and give way to a single raspberry-like fruit.

germination code:

native range: eastern United States