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| Figure 126.—Yellowroot (Xanthorhiza simplicissima) |
Other common names.—Shrub yellowroot, southern yellowroot.
Habitat and range.—Yellowroot grows in woods from southwestern New York to Kentucky and Florida, chiefly in the mountains
Description.—This slightly shrubby plant, 1 to 2 feet high, has compound slender-stemmed leaves 5 to 6 inches long clustered at the summit of the short stem. The leaves consist usually of five thin leaflets 1 to 3 inches long, with sharp, irregular teeth. The small, purplish-brown flowers are produced in spring, borne either singly or in clusters from terminal scaly buds. A characteristic of this plant is the bright-yellow color and bitter taste of its bark and long roots.
Part used.—The roots.