Minnesota Wildflowers


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Coptis trifolia (Three-leaf Goldthread)

Plant Info
Also known as:
Genus:Coptis
Family:Ranunculaceae (Buttercup)
Life cycle:perennial
Origin:native
Habitat:part shade, shade; moist mossy woods, conifer swamps, bogs
Bloom season:May - June
Plant height:3 to 6 inches
USDA PLANTS database:Minnesota county distribution map

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Detailed Information

Flower: 5-petals 6-petals

[photo of flowers] A single flower 3/8 to ½ inch across at the end of a long naked stem, with 5 to 7 white petal-like sepals that drop off early and numerous white-tipped stamens surrounding bright green styles that are curled at the tip. Alternating with the sepals are golden yellow club-shaped petals that are shorter than the stamens, with a cup-shaped tip that holds nectar. A plant typically has 1 flowering stem but may have multiples.

Leaves and stem: basal palmate

[photo of leaves] Leaves are evergreen, basal, palmately compound in groups of 3 at the end of a naked stem that is shorter than the flower stem. Leaflets are fan-shaped, up to 1 inch long, with notched tips or shallow lobes, small teeth around the tip half, and a shiny surface. Leaves and stems are hairless.

Notes:

This is an early and swift bloomer; the petal-like sepals do not last very long, making this species hard to catch at the right time. The common name Goldthread comes from its root system, which is thread-like and bright yellow.

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  • Shop for native seeds and plants at PrairieMoon.com!
  • Out Back Nursery and Landscaping - Where Ecology and Horticulture Unite
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  • Prairie Restorations - Bringing people together with the land

Map of native plant purveyors in the upper midwest

More photos

Photos courtesy Peter M. Dziuk, taken at Boot Lake SNA

Comments

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