A graceful hardy perennial, growing to 1 m (3 ft.), with red-tinged, wiry stems, bronze-green, three-palmate leaves and irregularly star-shaped flowers, with narrow white petals and red-tinted calyces.
History and traditions
A medicinal plant of Native Americans with emetic, purgative properties. Also known as “bowman’s root”, for its wound-healing effects, and “American ipecacuanha”. The early colonists adopted it and it was formerly listed in the United States Pharmacopoeia.
Habitat/distribution
Native to eastern North America, found in moist woodlands, introduced and widely grown as a garden plant in Europe and temperate regions.
Growth
Grow in humus-rich, moist soil in partial shade. Propagated by division in spring or autumn, or by seed sown in autumn in containers and overwintered in a cold frame.
Parts used
Root bark dried for use in decoctions and powders.
Uses
Medicinal
It is used as a purgative and expectorant.
