species 3,743 observations
Bowman's Root
Gillenia trifoliata
Field notes
Gillenia trifoliata, common name Bowman's root or Indian physic, is a species of flowering plant in the family Rosaceae, native to eastern North America from Ontario to Georgia. It is an erect herbaceous perennial growing to 100 cm (39 in) tall by 60 cm (24 in) wide, with three lobed palmate leaves and pale pink flowers with narrow petals and reddish calyces above red coloured stems in spring and summer. Its habitat includes dry to moist upland woods and rocky banks.
In cultivation, this plant has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. It is very hardy to −20 °C (−4 °F) or lower, but requires a sheltered position in partial shade, with acid or neutral soil.
The root was dried and powdered by Native Americans and used as both a laxative and emetic.
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Range
Greener is more native, amber more introduced; paler is less certain. How this was decided
Key traits
- Layer
- Herbaceous plants
- Light
- Part shade
- Moisture
- Dry Well drained Moist
- Soil pH
- Acid
- Plant type
- Perennial Wildflower
From NC State Extension, USDA PLANTS and the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.