Description
Coptis – Goldthread –
There are about 10 species of low growing, evergreen perennials, in this genus. They occur in temperate, usually coniferous woodland, and bogs in the Northern Hemisphere. They produce slender yellow rhizomes and basal, 3 to 5 palmate or finely palmately lobed leaves. Goldthreads are also grown for their star shaped flowers, borne on leafless stems above the foliage. Grow in a woodland garden.
Grow in moderately fertile, humus rich, moist but well drained, slightly acidic soil in a shletered site in full or partial shade. Divide in spring.
Prone to septoria leaf spot.
C. trifolia subsp. groenlandica – Cankerroot – This small, rhizomatous, spreading perennial from Greenland and Northeastern North America grows 2-6″ tall and 8″ wide. It produces 3 palmate, basal leaves, 1″ long, with wedge shaped, scalloped-tooted leaflets. From spring to summer it bears solitary white flowers, ½” across, on stems 3-6″ long. Used as an herbal remedy and yellow dye.
Zones 3-7
