Northern Blue Cohosh
(Caulophyllum giganteum)
Northern Blue Cohosh (Caulophyllum giganteum)
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David McCorquodale
CC BY 4.0
Image By:
David McCorquodale
Recorded By:
Copyright:
CC BY 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: David McCorquodale | License Type: CC BY 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | Rights Holder: David McCorquodale | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2018-05-05T07:49:38-07:00 |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Caulophyllum giganteum, commonly known as Northern Blue Cohosh, is a deciduous perennial herb native to rich, mesic deciduous forests, often found in the understory in Eastern North America, from the Midwest to the Eastern United States and Eastern Canada. It typically grows to a height of 2-3 feet (0.6-0.9 meters) and spreads 1-2 feet (0.3-0.6 meters). This plant features compound leaves that are bluish-green and divided into multiple leaflets, giving it a delicate, feathery appearance. The small, inconspicuous brownish-purple flowers bloom in early spring, followed by blue berries in late summer which are noteworthy for their color but are not edible.
Northern Blue Cohosh is valued for its foliage texture and subtle flower color, which can add interest to woodland gardens and shaded borders. It is often used in native plant gardens and for naturalizing in shady areas. It requires consistently moist soil with good drainage and thrives in part shade to full shade conditions. While it is not drought-tolerant, it is relatively low maintenance once established in the right environment. Gardeners should be aware that all parts of the plant are toxic if ingested.CC BY-SA 4.0
Northern Blue Cohosh is valued for its foliage texture and subtle flower color, which can add interest to woodland gardens and shaded borders. It is often used in native plant gardens and for naturalizing in shady areas. It requires consistently moist soil with good drainage and thrives in part shade to full shade conditions. While it is not drought-tolerant, it is relatively low maintenance once established in the right environment. Gardeners should be aware that all parts of the plant are toxic if ingested.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Herb
- Height: 1-3 feet
- Width: 1-2.5 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: Brown, Purple
- Flowering Season: Spring
- Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Part Shade, Full Shade
- Water: Medium
- Drainage: Fast
Common Uses
Bird Garden, Low Maintenance
Natural Habitat
Rich, mesic deciduous forests in the understory of Eastern North America
Other Names
Common Names: Giant Blue Cohosh, Blue Cohosh, Caulophylle Géant, Cohosh Bleu Géant, Cohosh Bleu Variété Géant
Scientific Names: , Caulophyllum giganteum, Caulophyllum thalictroides var. giganteum,
GBIF Accepted Name: Caulophyllum giganteum (Farw.) Loconte & W.H.Blackw.