Collinsonia canadensis
Species of flowering plant
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Collinsonia canadensis, commonly called richweed[1] or stoneroot,[2] is a species of perennial herb in the mint family.
| Collinsonia canadensis | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Lamiales |
| Family: | Lamiaceae |
| Genus: | Collinsonia |
| Species: | C. canadensis |
| Binomial name | |
| Collinsonia canadensis | |
It is native to eastern North America, primarily east of the Mississippi River, where it is widespread. It is the most broadly distributed member of the genus Collinsonia,[3] ranging north to Quebec and south to Florida.[4] Its natural habitat is nutrient-rich mesic forests, most often in rocky, calcareous areas.[5][6] Collinsonia canadensis can grow up to 4 feet (1.2 m) tall and has terminal clusters of tiny, tubular yellow flowers. Leaves are green, large, sharply toothed, and ovate.[7]
It produces lemon-scented flowers in mid-summer, a time when little else is in bloom in densely shaded forests.[5]
Traditional herbal use
Collinsonia canadensis was used by Native Americans to treat a variety of ailments.[3] However, European-American settlers in North America did not often use this species after they initially discovered it, due to it lacking any conspicuous qualities, toxic or otherwise.[8] It was not until the mid-1800s when it regained popularity as a medicinal herb.[9][10]
The leaves can be brewed into tea, and the subterranean stem was once used as a diuretic, tonic, and astringent.[11]
Gallery
Detail of Collinsonia canadensis flowers.
