Yellowroot

The Yellowroot (Xanthorhiza simplicissima, syn. X. apiifolia) is the only member of the genus Xanthorhiza, and one of very few genera in the family Ranunculaceae with a woody stem (the other notable example being Clematis). It is native to the eastern United States from Maine south to northern Florida and west to Ohio and eastern Texas.

The genus name as well as the common name refer to the plant's yellow roots (xantho- meaning "yellow" and rhiza meaning "root"), which was used to produce a yellow dye by Native Americans. The species name refers to the simple (not branched) root.

In the wild, it grows on the edges of streams in sandy soil under a canopy of dappled sunlight. In cultivation, it is often provided with more sunlight so that the fall colors are more vivid. It is a subshrub, reaching 20-70 cm (rarely 90 cm) in height, with stems up to 6 mm diameter. The leaves are spirally arranged, 10-18 cm long, each divided into 5 toothed leaflets, and flowers emerge only from the upper portion of the unbranched stem. The flowers are produced in broad panicles 6-20 cm long, each flower small, star-shaped, reddish brown to purple brown, with five petals.

Yellowroot propagates asexually by sending out many underground runners, and it reproduces sexually with seeds.

Yellowroot is considered an endangered species in Florida.

Cultivation and uses
It is cultivated for the stunning fall color, which is a dark red to purple, and lasts for months.

While yellowroot is toxic in large doses, a reason why deer do not eat it, it has been used to adulterate or as a substitute for Hydrastis canadensis. Native Americans made a tea and drank it for ulcers in the mouth and in the stomach. It may have also been used as a tonic, and externally on sores. Native Americans also used it to treat various skin ailments. According to Foster & Duke (1998), the plant contains berberine which is anti-inflammatory, astringent, hemostatic, antimicrobial, anticonvulsant, immunostimulant, uterotonic and can produce a transient drop in blood pressure. In addition it stimulates the secretion of bile and bilirubin which may be helpful in cirrhosis of the liver.

References and external links

 * Flora of North America: Xanthorhiza simplicissima
 * Description with a picture of the fall colors
 * site with a picture of the root
 * Medicinal uses
 * Foster, S. & Duke, J. A. (1998). Field Guide to Medicinal Plants: Eastern and Central North America. Houghton Mifflin. ISBN 0-395-92066-3.

Xanthorhiza Xanthorhiza