Ontario Wildflowers website

Goldenseal
Hydrastis canadensis

Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis) Other common names: Orangeroot

French names: Sceau d'or

Family: Buttercup Family (Ranunculaceae)

Flowers: Spring;  White, Green/Brown;  Indistinguishable parts (petals)

Leaves: Alternate

Habitat: Forests

Books: Newcomb's Wildflower Guide: 420   

Native/Non-native: Native

Status: Quite rare due to overharvesting and habitat destruction.

Notes: Over-harvesting of this plant has made it become very rare. If you find this plant in the wild please do not disturb it! And please keep its location private.

Origin and Meaning of Names:
 Scientific Name: canadensis: of Canada


Photographs: 168 photographs available, of which 12 are featured on this page. SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTOGRAPHS.

Range Map is at the bottom of the page

Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis)

Goldenseal flowers are unusual. They seem to be all stamens.

Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis)

These Goldenseal plants are blooming in the first week of May.

Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis)

An entire Goldenseal plant.

Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis)

Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis)

Goldenseal flower with seeds starting to form.

Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis)

Goldenseal fruit forming.

Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis)

Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis)

Goldenseal leaf.

Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis)

Underside of a leaf.

Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis)

A young leaf just opening.

Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis)

Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis)

Although Goldenseal is extremely rare nowadays, due to overharvesting and habitat destruction, there are the ocassional patches of it remaining.
(Don't bother asking where this patch is!).


Range map for Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis)

PLEASE NOTE: A coloured Province or State means this species occurs somewhere in that Province/State.
The entire Province/State is coloured, regardless of where in that Province/State it occurs.

(Range map provided courtesy of the USDA website and is displayed here in accordance with their Policies)