Goldthread – Coptis trifolia

 

Nomenclature:

  • Coptis trifolia
  • Family: Ranunculaceae (Buttercup)

 

Botany and Ecology:

  • Habitat: cool woods, bogs
  • Soil: Light, medium, or heavy soils are fine as long as they are moist and acidic. It can also grow in semi-shade.
  • Height: 3-6 inches
  • Flower size: 1/2 inch across
  • Flower color: white
  • Flowering time: May to June
  • Distribution:
    • United States: AK, CT, IN. MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OR, PA, RI, VA, VT,WA, WI, WV

 

Uses:

  • Edible:
    • The whole plant is said to be eaten, or it can be mixed with sassafras-root bark and Irish moss and brewed into a kind of herbal root beer. This plant contributes a bitter flavor and a yellow color to the beverage
  • Medicinal:
    • mouth sores and thrush
    • digestive disorders, worms, jaundice, and as a so-called blood purifier. It is sometimes used in combination with or substituted for goldenseal, another at-risk plant

 

Conservation:                  

 

Markets and Vendors:

  • No markets or vendors available yet.

 

Sources: