Practical
Plants

Lachnanthes carolina

Red Root

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
1 m
Flower type
hermaphrodite

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

Poisonous[3].

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

The root is astringent, narcotic, tonic and nervine[3]. Taken internally it produces a peculiar form of cerebral stimulation and narcosis, it was often used as a narcotic by some native North American Indian tribes[3]. It is also used in the treatment of bowel complaints, coughs, pneumonia and the spitting of blood[5][2]. A strong decoction has been used as a wash for cancer[2]. A homeopathic remedy is prepared from the whole fresh plant, harvested when in flower[3].

Product or use
Astringent
Product or use
Cancer
Product or use
Homeopathy
Product or use
Narcotic
Product or use
Nervine
Product or use
Tonic

Material uses

A red dye is obtained from the root[1][3][5].

Environment

Range
Eastern N. America - New Jersey and Rhode Island to Florida.
Habitat
Sandy and peaty shores and swamps[4].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

Seed - we have no information on this species but suggest sowing the seed in spring in a warm greenhouse. 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 spring[1].

Cultivation

Requires a humus-rich loamy soil[1]. Plants are not quite hardy in Britain and are usually grown in a cold greenhouse[1][3]. They will quite possibly succeed outdoors in the mildest areas of the country.

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  2. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

    ↩1↩2

  3. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  4. Fernald. M. L. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co. 1950-00-00

    ↩

  5. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩1↩2

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