Xanthorhiza simplicissima
| Xanthorhiza simplicissima | |
| Light: |    |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 6 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-6.5 |
| Height: | 3' |
| Width: | 10' |
| Speed: | Fast |
| Blooms: | Early Spring-Mid Spring |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Medicinal Rating: | |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Xanthorhiza simplicissima (common name: yellowroot)
Propagation: Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe in the autumn[1]. Sow stored seed in a cold frame in late winter. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Division in the autumn or late winter[2].
Cultivation: Requires a moist acid soil in sun or part shade[3]. Prefers shade or semi-shade[4]. Succeeds in any moist fertile soil according to other reports[5][6][1].
Hardy to about -20°c[3].
Plants can spread considerably by means of suckers[6], especially when they are growing in a light soil[7].
A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes[8].
Range: Eastern N. America - New York to West Virginia and south to Florida and Alabama.
Habitat: Damp woods, thickets and the banks of streams[9].
Medicinal: The root is astringent and a blood tonic[10]. A tea made from the roots is used to treat mouth ulcers[11], stomach ulcers, colds, jaundice etc[10][12]. An infusion of the roots has also been used to treat piles, though the report does not specify if it is used internally or externally[12]. Some caution is advised in the use of this plant, see the notes above on toxicity.
The root contains the alkaloid 'berberine' which is used for its tonic properties and for digestive disorders[11]. Berberine is anti-inflammatory, astringent, haemostatic, antispasmodic, immuno-stimulant, uterine tonic and antimicrobial[10]. It stimulates the secretion of bile and bilirubin and may be helpful in correcting high tyramine levels in people with liver cirrhosis[10].
Usage: A yellow dye is obtained from the root[13][14]. The entire plant can be crushed to yield a yellow dye[12].
A good ground cover for damp semi-shaded positions[2][1]. Plants should be spaced about 1.2 metres apart each way[7].
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Known Hazards: The root, when taken in high doses, is potentially toxic[10].
Also Known As: X. apiifolia. Zanthorrhiza apiifolia.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Shrubs. Pan Books, 1989.
- ↑ Brickell, Christopher. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers. Dorling Kindersley Publishers, 1990.
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Thomas, Graham. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray, 1992.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Thomas, Graham. Plants for Ground Cover. Everyman, 1990.
- ↑ Hatfield, Audrey. How to Enjoy your Weeds. Frederick Muller Ltd, 1974.
- ↑ Lyndon, Merritt. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co, 1950.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 Foster, Steven and Billy Tatum. Medicinal Plants of Eastern and Central North America. Houghton Mifflin, 1990.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Weiner, Michael. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books, 1980.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 Moerman, Daniel. Native American Ethnobotany. Timber Press, 1998.
- ↑ Uphof, Johannes. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim, 1959.
- ↑ Usher, George. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable, 1974.