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Coptis occidentalis - (Nutt.)Torr.&A.Gray.

Common Name Idaho goldthread
Family Ranunculaceae
USDA hardiness 4-8
Known Hazards Although no specific mention of toxicity has been found for this species, it belongs to a family that contains many species that are mildly toxic and so it is wise to treat this plant with some caution.
Habitats Moist coniferous woods at elevations of 500-2000 metres in the Rocky Mountains[60, 200, 270].
Range Western N. America - Idaho, Montana and Washington.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Coptis occidentalis Idaho goldthread


US Forest Service photo http://www. fs. fed. us/
Coptis occidentalis Idaho goldthread
US Forest Service photo http://www. fs. fed. us/

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Coptis occidentalis is an evergreen Perennial growing to 0.2 m (0ft 8in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4. It is in leaf all year, in flower from April to May. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; Ground Cover;

Edible Uses

None known

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Dye

A yellow dye is obtained from the root[46, 61]. Can be grown as a ground cover plant in the peat garden[200].

Special Uses

Ground cover

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Requires a light moist humus-rich slightly acidic soil with a northerly aspect or light shade[1, 200]. This species is closely related to C. laciniata[200].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

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Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant Propagation

Seed - best sown in a greenhouse as soon as it is ripe in an ericaceous compost[164]. Seal the pot in a polythene bag until germination takes place, which is usually within 1 - 6 months at 10°c[164]. Stored seed should be sown as early in the year as possible. Four weeks cold stratification may be beneficial[164]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow on in a shady part of the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out in mid-autumn or in spring. Division in spring[200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

Coming Soon

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Coptis brachypetala Perennial0.2 -  LMSM003
Coptis chinensisHuang LianPerennial0.3 5-9  LMHSNMWe033
Coptis deltoidea Perennial0.2 -  LMHSNMWe023
Coptis japonica Perennial0.2 6-9  LMHSNM023
Coptis teetaYun LianPerennial0.2 -  LMHSNM123
Coptis trifoliaGoldthread, Threeleaf goldthreadPerennial0.2 2-7  LMHSM222

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

(Nutt.)Torr.&A.Gray.

Botanical References

60200270

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

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Subject : Coptis occidentalis  
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