Xanthorhiza simplicissima Marshall. Common name: Yellowroot, Brookfeather, Orangeroot, Yellow Puccoon. Phenology: (Late Jan-) Mar-May; May-Jun. Habitat: Streambanks and riverbanks, less typically in moist rocky forests. Distribution: Se. VA, w. VA, WV, and s. OH south to FL Panhandle and s. MS; disjunct west of the Mississippi in w. LA and e. TX; also scattered northward as naturalized populations from cultivation in PA, MD, NY, MA, CT, and ME.
Origin/Endemic status: Endemic
Taxonomy Comments: See Colenbaugh & Hagan (2021) for a detailed discussion of X. simplicissima.
Synonymy ⓘ: = C, F, Fl2, FNA3, G, GW2, K4, NS, NY, Pa, POWO, RAB, Tn, Tx, Va, W, WH3, WV, (basionym); = Xanthorhiza apiifolia L'Hér. — S13; = Xanthorrhiza apiifolia L'Hér. — S13; = Xanthorrhiza simplicissima — S, orthographic variant; = Zanthorhiza apiifolia
Links to other floras: = Xanthorhiza simplicissima - FNA3
Wetland Indicator Status:
- Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: FACW
- Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: FACW
- Midwest: FACW
- Northcentral & Northeast: FACW
Heliophily ⓘ: 4
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© Keith Bradley | Original Image ⭷
© Edwin Bridges | Original Image ⭷
© Alan M. Cressler | Original Image ⭷
© Alan Cressler: Xanthorhiza simplicissima, Betty Creek, Hambidge Center, Rabun County, Georgia 1 by Alan Cressler source | Original Image ⭷
© Matt, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Matt source CC-BY-NC, permission granted to NCBG | Original Image ⭷
© Alan Cressler: Xanthorhiza simplicissima, Pickens County, South Carolina 1 by Alan Cressler source | Original Image ⭷
© Alvin Diamond, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Alvin Diamond source CC-BY-NC, permission granted to NCBG | Original Image ⭷
© Scott Ward | Original Image ⭷
© Emily Oglesby | Original Image ⭷
© Bruce Sorrie | Original Image ⭷
© Matt, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Matt source CC-BY-NC, permission granted to NCBG | Original Image ⭷
© Radford, Ahles and Bell | Original Image ⭷Feedback
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Horticultural Information
| Intro | Stems | Leaves | Inforescence | Flowers | Fruits | Comments | Height | plant sale text | bloom table text | description | stems | leaves | inflorescence | flowers | fruits | comments | cultural notes | germination code | native range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
This low shrub can be found primarily in the mountains and occasionally in the piedmont of North Carolina, particularly along riverbanks. Its inconspicuous flowers appear in early spring and are brownish purple and star-shaped. | 1-2 ft. | This spreading shrub-like plant is easy to grow. Its small star-shaped dark maroon flowers are borne in panicles in early spring. The genus name, Xanthorhiza, is derived from the Greek for "yellow root". This name perfectly describes the bright yellow interior of the roots. The Cherokee tribe used this species to make a yellow dye and as a tonic. This is the only woody member of the buttercup family or Ranunculaceae. Try it as a groundcover at the edge of woods. | This low shrub can be found primarily in the mountains and occasionally in the piedmont of North Carolina, particularly along riverbanks. Its inconspicuous flowers appear in early spring and are brownish purple and star-shaped. | Yellowroot was highly regarded as a southern folk remedy in the 19th century, and many people still chew the root to treat gastric problems. Ulcers and colds were once treated with a tea made from the root. Yellowroot has also been used by Cherokee Indians as a source of bright yellow dye. As the name suggests, the color of the roots is bright yellow. | 2 | eastern North America |
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