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Hydrastis canadensis
  • Goldenseal

a perennial member of the Hydrastis genus in the family Ranunculaceae.

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Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Partial sun
    Partial sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • permanent shade
    Permanent 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,neutral
    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
  • 3
    Zone 3
    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
Hydrastis canadensis has 0 material uses listed
Hydrastis canadensis has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Toxic parts

The whole plant is poisonous[1][2].

Edible uses

There are no edible uses listed for Hydrastis canadensis.

Material uses

A yellow dye is obtained from the whole plant[1][3][4]. It is obtained from the root[5]. The pounded root is smeared on the body to act as an insect repellent[6].

Unknown part

Dye
Repellent

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

Goldenseal is a traditional medicine of the North American Indians and is still widely used in Western herbal medicine[1][7]. In the Nineteenth century it acquired a reputation as a heal-all and was grossly over-collected from the wild and has become rare in the east of its range[6][8]. It is now being cultivated on a small scale[1]. It is especially valued in treating disorders of the digestive system and mucous membranes and is also extremely useful in the treatment of habitual constipation[1][7]. See also the notes above on cultivation needs[K].

The root is the active part of the plant, it is harvested in the autumn after the plant has died down and is dried for later use[1][6]. It is said to be antiperiodic, antiseptic, astringent, cholagogue, diuretic, laxative, stomachic, tonic[1][9][3][10][8][11]. It is used mainly in the treatment of disorders affecting the ears, eyes, throat, nose, stomach, intestines and vagina[7]. The root contains the alkaloids hydrastine, berberine and canadine[6]. Berberine is antibacterial (effective against broad-spectrum bacteria and protozoa[12]), it increases bile secretions, acts as an anticonvulsant, a mild sedative and lowers blood pressure[8]. Use of this plant destroys beneficial intestinal organisms as well as pathogens, so it should only be prescribed for limited periods (a maximum of three months)[11]. The plant should be used with caution, and not at all during pregnancy or by people with high blood pressure[8][11].

An infusion of the root is used externally as a wash for skin diseases, vaginal infections, gum diseases etc[6][11].

Unknown part

Antibacterial
Antiperiodic
Antiseptic
Antispasmodic
Astringent
Cholagogue
Diuretic
Laxative
Sedative
Stomachic
Tonic

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - sow autumn or early spring in a moist sandy loam in a shady part of the cold frame or greenhouse[13]. The seed is slow to germinate[11]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in light shade in the greenhouse for the first year or two. Plant out into their permanent positions when the plants are dormant. Division of the roots in autumn[1]. The roots can be divided into quite small pieces and can also be transplanted at almost any time of the year[1]. Larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring.

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



Cultivation

Goldenseal is somewhat difficult of cultivation, it prefers a good rich moist loamy leafy soil in shade or partial shade[1][14][15]. Prefers a sandy, acid to neutral humus-rich soil[16]. Grows best in a pH range from 6 to 7[11].

Plants are hardy to at least -15°c[15].

Goldenseal is grown commercially as a medicinal plant[17], but it is not easy to establish the plants[1][16]. Another report says that all goldenseal root that is used medicinally comes from wild plants[11]. Since the plant is becoming increasingly rare in many parts of its range, it is probably wise to try and find alternatives to this species for medicinal use unless you can be sure that your supply comes from cultivated plants[K].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Hydrastis canadensis. 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 Hydrastis canadensis.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Hydrastis canadensis
Genus
Hydrastis
Family
Ranunculaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
Medicinal uses
[1][7][6][8][9][3][10][11][12]
Material uses & Functions
[1][3][4][5][6]
Botanic
[18][16]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
3
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
partial sun
Shade
permanent shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral
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
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    ?
    Herbaceous or Woody
    ?
    Life Cycle
    perennial
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    0.3 x 0.25 meters
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    ?
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    hermaphrodite

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    References

    1. ? 1.001.011.021.031.041.051.061.071.081.091.101.111.12 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
    2. ? Stary. F. Poisonous Plants. Hamlyn ISBN 0-600-35666-3 (1983-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.13.23.3 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.1 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.1 Saunders. C. F. Edible and Useful Wild Plants of the United States and Canada. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-23310-3 (1976-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.16.26.36.46.56.6 Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books ISBN 0-449-90589-6 (1980-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.17.27.3 Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London ISBN 9-780751-303148 (1996-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.18.28.38.4 Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. ISBN 0395467225 (1990-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.1 Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books ISBN 0-553-23827-2 (1983-00-00)
    10. ? 10.010.1 Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism. ()
    11. ? 11.011.111.211.311.411.511.611.7 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)
    12. ? 12.012.1 Coffey. T. The History and Folklore of North American Wild Flowers. Facts on File. ISBN 0-8160-2624-6 (1993-00-00)
    13. ? F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    14. ? Brown. Shade Plants for Garden and Woodland. ()
    15. ? 15.015.1 Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books ISBN 0-330-30936-9 (1991-00-00)
    16. ? 16.016.116.2 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    17. ? Schery. R. W. Plants for Man. ()
    18. ? Fernald. M. L. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co. (1950-00-00)

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    Retrieved from "http://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Hydrastis_canadensis&oldid=77823"
    Facts about "Hydrastis canadensis"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyRanunculaceae +
    Belongs to genusHydrastis +
    Has common nameGoldenseal +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has hardiness zone3 +
    Has imageHydrastis canadensis - Köhler–s Medizinal-Pflanzen-209.jpg +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has material partUnknown part +
    Has material useDye + and Repellent +
    Has mature height0.3 +
    Has mature width0.25 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAntibacterial +, Antiperiodic +, Antiseptic +, Antispasmodic +, Astringent +, Cholagogue +, Diuretic +, Laxative +, Sedative +, Stomachic + and Tonic +
    Has primary imageHydrastis canadensis - Köhler–s Medizinal-Pflanzen-209.jpg +
    Has search namehydrastis canadensis + and x +
    Has shade tolerancePermanent shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid + and Neutral +
    Has soil teclayture preferenceClay +
    Has soil teloamyture preferenceLoamy +
    Has soil tesandyture preferenceSandy +
    Has sun preferencePartial sun +
    Has taxonomy nameHydrastis canadensis +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +