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(Coptis trifolia)
Threeleaf Goldthread (Coptis trifolia)
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Jomegat
CC BY-SA 3.0
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Jomegat
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CC BY-SA 3.0
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Photo by: Jomegat | License Type: CC BY-SA 3.0 | License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0 | Uploader: Jomegat | Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Title: Coptis_trifolia_1407.JPG | Notes: Preparing upload using [[User:Flickr upload bot|Flickr upload bot]] |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Coptis trifolia, commonly known as threeleaf goldthread or savoyane, is a perennial herb that is native to cool, moist, acidic soils in the understory of boreal forests, often found in sphagnum bogs and wetlands across North America, particularly in the Northeastern United States, Eastern Canada, and the Great Lakes region. This plant typically forms low-growing clumps reaching 3 to 6 inches in height. The evergreen leaves are basal, glossy, and deeply three-lobed, providing year-round ground cover. The flowers, which bloom in late spring, have white sepals that resemble petals, while the true petals are small, yellow, and club-shaped, contrasting with the numerous, thread-like stamens. The flowers are not particularly showy but add a subtle charm to woodland gardens.
Threeleaf goldthread is valued for its evergreen foliage and its historical medicinal use by Native Americans. It is used in shade gardens, rock gardens, and naturalized areas where it can form a ground cover. It thrives in cool, shaded environments, preferring moist, well-drained, acidic soil rich in organic matter. While it can tolerate full sun in cooler climates, it generally prefers part shade to full shade. It is not known for having serious disease or pest issues, but it can be sensitive to drought and excessive heat. In some regions, it may be considered rare and should be cultivated responsibly to avoid depleting wild populations.CC BY-SA 4.0
Threeleaf goldthread is valued for its evergreen foliage and its historical medicinal use by Native Americans. It is used in shade gardens, rock gardens, and naturalized areas where it can form a ground cover. It thrives in cool, shaded environments, preferring moist, well-drained, acidic soil rich in organic matter. While it can tolerate full sun in cooler climates, it generally prefers part shade to full shade. It is not known for having serious disease or pest issues, but it can be sensitive to drought and excessive heat. In some regions, it may be considered rare and should be cultivated responsibly to avoid depleting wild populations.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Herb
- Height: 0.3-0.5 feet
- Width: 1-1.5 feet
- Growth Rate: Slow
- Flower Color: White
- Flowering Season: Spring
- Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Part Shade
- Water: Medium
- Drainage: Slow, Medium, Fast
Common Uses
Edible*Disclaimer: Easyscape's listed plant edibility is for informational use. Always verify the safety and proper identification of any plant before consumption., Low Maintenance, Water Garden
Natural Habitat
Cool, moist, acidic soils in the understory of boreal forests, often found in sphagnum bogs and wetlands
Other Names
Common Names: Canker-Root, Goldenroot, Savoyane, Goldthread, Savoyana, Three-Leaved Goldthread, Yellow Snakeroot, American Goldthread, Coptide Du Groenland, Coptide Savoyane
Scientific Names: , Coptis trifolia, Anemone groenlandica, Helleborus trilobus,
GBIF Accepted Name: Coptis trifolia (L.) Salisb.