Practical
Plants

Trillium erectum

Beth Root

a perennial member of the Trillium genus in the family Trilliaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.4 m
Spread
0.3 m
Fertility
Flies
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Flies

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Leaves - raw or cooked. Used in spring[8], the young unfolding leaves are an excellent addition to the salad bowl, tasting somewhat like sunflower seeds[5]. Leaves can also be cooked as a potherb[5].

Plant part
Leaves

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.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Beth root was traditionally used by various native North American Indian tribes as a woman's herb to aid childbirth, as a treatment for irregular menstrual periods, period pains and excessive vaginal discharge[15]. Modern research has shown that the root contains steroidal saponins, which have hormonal effects on the body[10][12]. These saponins are being used in gynaecological and obstetric medicine[12]. This herb should not be taken during pregnancy except under professional supervision[15]. The root is antiseptic, aphrodisiac, astringent, expectorant, tonic, uterine tonic[16][18][19][4][10][12]. It is used internally in the treatment of a wide range of women's complaints including haemorrhage from the uterus, urinary tract and lungs, and also to curb excessive menstruation[12]. It has proved to be of value in stopping bleeding after parturition[13]. Externally, it is used to treat excessive vaginal discharge, ulcers (especially varicose), skin complaints, gangrene, insect bites and stings[12][13]. It is also used as a wash for sore nipples[13]. The root is harvested in late summer, after the leaves have died down, and is dried for later use[9][12]. The whole plant is used as a poultice for tumours, inflammations and ulcers[10].

Product or use
Antiseptic
Product or use
Aphrodisiac
Product or use
Astringent
Product or use
Birthing aid
Product or use
Expectorant
Product or use
Poultice
Product or use
Tonic
Product or use
Uterine tonic

Environment

Range
Eastern N. America - Quebec to Ontario and Michigan, south to Tennessee.
Habitat
Rich soils in damp and shady woodlands[16].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
permanent shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 4+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - best sown in a shaded cold frame as soon as it is ripe[2][7]. Stored seed should be sown in late winter or early spring. Seed usually germinates within 1 - 3 months at 15°c. Another report says that seeds produce a root after the first cold stratification but no shoot is produced until after a second winter[3], whilst yet another report says that the seed can take 3 years to germinate[12]. The seedlings are prone to damp off and must therefore be watered with care and given plenty of fresh air[3]. The young plants need to be overwintered in a cold frame for the first year and can then be planted out in late spring. It is very important that the pots become neither too dry nor too wet[3]. Division with care when the plants die down after flowering[7]. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is best to pot up smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a greenhouse or cold frame until they are growing away well. Plant them out in the following spring.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Prefers a deep well-drained woodland or humus-rich soil in a somewhat shady position that remains moist in the summer[1][17]. Prefers a neutral to slightly acid soil[7]. Grows well in open deciduous woodland[1][20]. Succeeds in a sunny position if the soil does not dry out[17]. Succeeds in deep shade[6]. A very hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to about -35°c[12]. Plants are long-lived[11]. Any transplanting is best done whilst the plants are in flower[7]. A very variable species[7], it is subject to mutation[20]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[11], though slugs are very fond of the leaves[12]. The flowers have an unattractive smell rather like putrefied flesh[17][8][14]. The white-flowered form, blandum, is almost scentless[14]. Plants can flower in two years from seed[3].

References

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

    ↩1↩2

  2. Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 2. Thompson and Morgan. 1988-00-00

    ↩

  3. Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 3. Thompson and Morgan. 1989-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  4. Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism.

    ↩

  5. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2

  6. Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7

    ↩

  7. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  8. Coffey. T. The History and Folklore of North American Wild Flowers. Facts on File. 1993-00-00 ISBN 0-8160-2624-6

    ↩1↩2

  9. Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books 1980-00-00 ISBN 0-449-90589-6

    ↩

  10. Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0395467225

    ↩1↩2↩3

  11. Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8

    ↩1↩2

  12. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8↩9

  13. Phillips. R. & Foy. N. Herbs Pan Books Ltd. London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30725-8

    ↩1↩2↩3

  14. Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8

    ↩1↩2

  15. Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2

  17. Grey. C. H. Hardy Bulbs. Williams & Norgate. 1938-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  18. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩

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

    ↩

  20. Phillips. R. and Rix. M. Bulbs Pan Books 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30253-1

    ↩1↩2

Edit this page