A well know native of herbal lore, Hydrastis canadensis, AKA golden seal, typically blooms mid-April in our area. Because of its medicinal value the plant has been collected from the wild almost to extinction. From yellow dye to insect repellant to medicines, goldenseal has a lot of value. While both modern and Native American healers have numerous uses for goldenseal, all parts of the plant can be poisonous if used incorrectly.
As the unique, wrinkled leaves unfurl, the stem is topped with a single frilly white bloom which matures into a cluster of bright scarlet berries. Growing 9-12 inches tall in part shade, this attractive little plant will in time develop into a colony.
