Indian-Physic

Gillenia trifoliata Rosaceae

Other names

Bowman's-Root

Growth habit

Herbaceous

Native distribution

Native to the Finger Lakes Region, NY, Ontario, MI, South to GA and AL

Biocultural value

Bark of the root was used as an emetic.

Location

Cornell Class of 1938 Native Maple Slope, Bioswale Garden, Comstock Knoll and Rhododendron Collection, Groundcover Collection, Robison Herb Garden, Coy Glen, South Hill Swamp

Source of plant

Sunny Border Ohio, North Creek Nurseries, Bluebird Nursery Inc., Lazy S's Farm Nursery, Audry O'Connor, Crownsville Nursery, Mary Hirshfeld

Description

Plants 4' tall, 2' wide; tough and wiry with reddish, sparsely-leaved stems, which branch freely; flowerssmall, white with reddish calyces which persist after the petals have dropped; summer blooming; dainty and refined.

USDA Hardiness Zone

3

Special characteristics

medicinal/pharmaceutical

Status

LX|S4|GNR