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Lachnanthes carolina - (Lam.)Dandy.

Common Name Red Root
Family Haemodoraceae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
Known Hazards Poisonous[4].
Habitats Sandy and peaty shores and swamps[43].
Range Eastern N. America - New Jersey and Rhode Island to Florida.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (1 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Lachnanthes carolina Red Root


Lachnanthes carolina Red Root

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Lachnanthes carolina is a PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in). The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs).
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

L. tinctoria.

Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

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.
Astringent  Cancer  Homeopathy  Narcotic  Nervine  Tonic

The root is astringent, narcotic, tonic and nervine[4]. Taken internally it produces a peculiar form of cerebral stimulation and narcosis, it was often used as a narcotic by some native North American Indian tribes[4]. It is also used in the treatment of bowel complaints, coughs, pneumonia and the spitting of blood[61, 257]. A strong decoction has been used as a wash for cancer[257]. A homeopathic remedy is prepared from the whole fresh plant, harvested when in flower[4].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

A red dye is obtained from the root[1, 4, 61].

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Requires a humus-rich loamy soil[1]. Plants are not quite hardy in Britain and are usually grown in a cold greenhouse[1, 4]. They will quite possibly succeed outdoors in the mildest areas of the country.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Propagation

Seed - we have no information on this species but suggest sowing the seed in spring in a warm greenhouse. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division in spring[1].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

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

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.

 

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Expert comment

Author

(Lam.)Dandy.

Botanical References

143

Links / References

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

Readers comment

José Waizel-Bucay   Fri Jan 9 2009

Synonym: Lachnantes caroliniana (Lam.) Dandy; Lachnantes tinctoria (Walter ex J. F. Gmel.) Elliot

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Subject : Lachnanthes carolina  
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