Name: Hydrastic canadensis	Description: Family: Buttercup (Ranunculaceae) Growth Form: Perennial from a thickened root with orange sap. Stems: Upright, unbranched, hairy, up to 10 inches tall. Leaves: One leaf basal, palmately 5 to 9-lobed, irregularly toothed, up to 8 inches across, hairy, on a long stalk; stem-leaves 2, at the tip of the stem, palmately 3 to 9-lobed, irregularly toothed, up to 6 inches across, hairy, on a short stalk. Flower Arrangement: Solitary, arising from the base of the upper-most leaf. Flowers: Up to 1/2-inch across, on a short, hairy stalk. Petals: None. Stamens:  Numerous, white, giving the flower its color. Pistil: many in a central cluster, each with a superior ovary.  Fruits: A head of closely grouped berries, each berry with 1 or 2 seeds and tipped with a short, curved beak.	Discussion: The roots of this plant have reputed medicinal value and often flowers from mid-April to mid-May. This plant is also sought after by root hunters.
Image:	Location: Habitat: Rich woods. Range: Throughout the state.	Waypoint:  N 38 degrees 34.755 minutes W 89 degrees 04.146 minutes Elevation 475 feet

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Photos courtesy: Odin Tech Prep Team 2004
Project courtesy: Grant Arnold, Deniz Hawley, Kristen Minor, Brian Deadmond

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