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Coptis trifolia
  • Goldthread

a perennial evergreen member of the Coptis genus in the family Ranunculaceae.

248px
Niche
  • Soil surface
    Soil surface
    There are no details available for this niche.
Functions
  • Ground cover
    Ground cover
    There are no details available for this function.
Light
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • partial shade
    Partial shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid
    Unknown
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 2
    Zone 2
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Coptis trifolia has 0 edible uses listed
Coptis trifolia has 0 material uses listed
Coptis trifolia has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Toxic parts

Although no specific mention of toxicity has been found for this species, it belongs to a family that contains many species that are mildly toxic and so it is wise to treat this plant with some caution.

Edible uses

Notes

The whole plant is said to be eaten[1][2], or it can be mixed with sassafras-root bark and Irish moss and brewed into a kind of herbal root beer[3]. This plant contributes a bitter flavour and a yellow colour to the beverage[3]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.

Unknown part

Condiment

Leaves

Unknown use

Material uses

A yellow dye is obtained from the leaves and stems[4]. Can be grown as a ground cover plant in the peat garden[5].

Unknown part

Dye

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

Goldenthread is a very bitter tasting herb that was formerly highly valued and widely used in North America by the native Indians and white settlers alike, though it is little used in modern herbalism[6]. It was employed mainly to treat any soreness in the mouth[6].

The dried roots, stems and leaves are antiphlogistic, highly astringent, sedative, stomachic, tonic[7][8][9][10][4][11]. The plant is valued as a local application in the treatment of thrush in children[7]. It is also used in the treatment of ulcerated mouths and as a gargle for sore throats or mouths[8][9][10][4][12]. It is said to be useful in the treatment of dyspepsia and helpful in combating the drink habit[7].

The plant contains the alkaloid 'berberine', which is a mild sedative[12], anti-inflammatory and antibacterial[11]. The root is collected in the autumn and dried for later use[12].

Unknown part

Antibacterial
Antiinflammatory
Antiphlogistic
Astringent
Sedative
Skin
Stomachic
Tonic

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Soil surface

Ecological Functions

Ground cover

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - best sown in a greenhouse as soon as it is ripe in an ericaceous compost[13]. Seal the pot in a polythene bag until germination takes place, which is usually within 1 - 6 months at 10°c[13]. Stored seed should be sown as early in the year as possible. Four weeks cold stratification may be beneficial[13]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow on in a shady part of the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out in mid-autumn or in spring. Division in spring[5].

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Coptis trifolia. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Requires a light moist humus-rich slightly acidic soil with a northerly aspect or light shade[14][5].

A very ornamental plant[14].

The sub-species C. trifolia groenlandica (Syn C. groenlandica) is the form used medicinally in N. America[11].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Coptis trifolia. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Coptis trifolia.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Coptis trifolia
Genus
Coptis
Family
Ranunculaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[1][2][3]
Medicinal uses
[6][7][8][9][10][4][11][12]
Material uses & Functions
[4][5]
Botanic
[15][5]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Ground cover
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
2
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
Shade
partial shade
Soil PH
acid
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    Soil surface
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    evergreen
    Herbaceous or Woody
    ?
    Life Cycle
    perennial
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    0.15 x 0.5 meters
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    ?
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    hermaphrodite

    "image:Coptis trifolia (L.) Salisb01.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Coptis trifolia (L.) Salisb01.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Coptis trifolia (L.) Salisb01.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Coptis trifolia (L.) Salisb01.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Coptis trifolia (L.) Salisb01.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Coptis trifolia (L.) Salisb01.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Coptis trifolia (L.) Salisb01.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Coptis trifolia (L.) Salisb01.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Coptis trifolia (L.) Salisb01.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Coptis trifolia (L.) Salisb01.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Coptis trifolia (L.) Salisb01.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Coptis trifolia (L.) Salisb01.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






    References

    1. ? 1.01.1 Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing (1976-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.1 Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books ISBN 3874292169 (1984-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.13.2 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.14.24.34.4 Coffey. T. The History and Folklore of North American Wild Flowers. Facts on File. ISBN 0-8160-2624-6 (1993-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.15.25.35.4 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.16.2 Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London ISBN 9-780751-303148 (1996-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.17.27.3 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.18.2 Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books ISBN 0-553-23827-2 (1983-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.19.2 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
    10. ? 10.010.110.2 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
    11. ? 11.011.111.211.3 Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. ISBN 0395467225 (1990-00-00)
    12. ? 12.012.112.212.3 Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books ISBN 0-449-90589-6 (1980-00-00)
    13. ? 13.013.113.2 Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 4. Thompson and Morgan. (1990-00-00)
    14. ? 14.014.1 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    15. ? Ohwi. G. Flora of Japan. (English translation) Smithsonian Institution (1965-00-00)

    "image:Coptis trifolia (L.) Salisb01.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    Retrieved from "http://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Coptis_trifolia&oldid=76448"
    Facts about "Coptis trifolia"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyRanunculaceae +
    Belongs to genusCoptis +
    Functions asGround cover +
    Has binomial nameCoptis trifolia +
    Has common nameGoldthread +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partUnknown part + and Leaves +
    Has edible useCondiment + and Unknown use +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has hardiness zone2 +
    Has imageCoptis trifolia (L.) Salisb01.jpg +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has material partUnknown part +
    Has material useDye +
    Has mature height0.15 +
    Has mature width0.5 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAntibacterial +, Antiinflammatory +, Antiphlogistic +, Astringent +, Sedative +, Skin +, Stomachic + and Tonic +
    Has primary imageCoptis trifolia (L.) Salisb01.jpg +
    Has search namecoptis trifolia + and goldthread +
    Has shade tolerancePartial shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +
    Has soil texture preferenceSandy +, Loamy + and Clay +
    Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
    Has taxonomy nameCoptis trifolia +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Inhabits ecosystem nicheSoil surface +
    Is deciduous or evergreenEvergreen +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF edible use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF material use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF medicinal use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF propagation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF toxicity notes migratedNo +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +
    Has subobjectThis property is a special property in this wiki.Coptis trifolia +, Coptis trifolia +, Coptis trifolia +, Coptis trifolia +, Coptis trifolia +, Coptis trifolia +, Coptis trifolia +, Coptis trifolia +, Coptis trifolia +, Coptis trifolia + and Coptis trifolia +