Flora of East-Central Indiana

Golden Seal
Scientific Name Hydrastis canadensis  L.
Family Name Ranunculaceae

 

hydrastis_canadensis_fl6.jpg (87910 bytes)

Characteristics
Habitat: deep, rich woods
Plant Height: 30-38 cm, erect stem from thick rhizome
Flower Color: white due to numerous stamens; sepals (when present greenish-white)
Flower: incomplete; perfect; petals lacking; 3 sepals drop off early; stamens numerous; pistils numerous
Inflorescence: single, terminal flower
Fruit: red berries
Leaves: entire; doubly serrate; 5-lobed; cordate-rotund; 3-35 cm; pubescent; upper sessile, lower stalked
Bloom Time: Late April -Early May
Origins: native
Other: ranks with Panax quinquefolius  (American Ginseng) as one of most collected of Eastern North American  plants; used medicinally; rare due to over collection; toxic and should not be eaten
hydrastis_canadensis_habit5.jpg (146084 bytes) hydrastis_canadensis_flower4.jpg (84472 bytes)
general habit leaf form top view close up of flower

Native Wildflowers ● Trees, Shrubs&Vines ● Ferns ● Grasses&Allies ● Non-Native Species ●  ECI Flora Home

information provided by

FSEEC
Field Station and
Environmental Education Center
Ball State University, Muncie, IN



comments to:
hbrown@bsu.edu