Hydrastis Canadensis is the botanical name for Goldenseal also known as Orangeroot or Yellow Paccoon. Goldenseal is a small (long-lived) perennial herb belonging to the buttercup family, Ranunculaceae, although its leaves and fruits somewhat resemble those of the Raspberry and Rubus genus in general. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay The golden seal has a large, gnarled, yellowish-brown rhizome, about 5 centimeters long and 1 centimeter thick, with many rootlets. This herb has a strong odor and a bitter taste. It produces a fruit similar in appearance to raspberries. Distinguishing features: •It differs from other members of the Ranunculaceae family during anthesis (the flowering period of a plant) as it has only 2 simple leaves, caulines and solitary white flowers, which lack petals. •Flowers 8 to 18 cm wide with numerous white, exercised stamens; sepals 3, which fall after the flower opens; petals absent. •Red berries with 1 or 2 seeds per pistil, from 5 to 8 mm. •The characteristics relating to the leaf can be recognized from it. Basal leaf generally solitary and rapidly deciduous; cauline leaves 2, alternate, near the top, toothed, 5 lobed and with serrated nerves, 3 to 10 cm when the flower opens, but expand up to 25 to 30 cm. Where it lives: In North America, the Goldenseal is found throughout the eastern half. It is found from Vermont to Minnesota and extends south to Nebraska, Kansas, Arkansas, Georgia, and Alabama. For different parts of its range, it is considered rare, including Ontario, Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi, Vermont, North Carolina, Wisconsin, Virginia, Alabama, Indiana, Tennessee, and Delaware. Period: Correct flowering of flowers occurs approximately from the end of April to the beginning of May. During the ripening period, its fruits first appear green and then ripen into an aggregate of bright red achenes. These are visible mid to late season, June to early August and possibly later in some locations, depending on the climate. Habitat: Goldenseal is commonly an inhabitant of rich, shady, mesic southern forests, usually under a canopy of red-colored sugar-maple-beech or red-colored sugar-maple-oak. Its most frequent occurrence is in most microhabitats near vernal ponds, along wooded streams, and also in southern alluvial forests, often in clay soils, moist sandy loams, or even organic soils (manure). Harvesting Instructions: Hydrastis Canadensis roots are harvested in the fall after the tops have died. Harvesting usually begins 5 to 7 years after sowing or 4 to 6 years after planting the rhizome pieces. Care must be taken when digging the roots, the fibrous roots must be kept intact. The fork can be used to dig small plots, however, a larger field requires a mechanical digger just like a modified potato, horseradish or bulb digger. The bed will re-establish itself, thus making replanting in that area unnecessary, if enough fibrous roots are left. Per acre, Goldenseal yield depends on production method and location and generally ranges from 800 to 3,000 pounds of dried root per acre. Edible status: Its raspberry-like fruit is inedible. However, its roots are used to prepare tea. Medicinal use: •Hydrastis Canadensis was used throughout history by Native Americans as a treatment for irritation and inflammation of the mucous membranes of the respiratory, digestive and urinary tracts. •Very commonly used for eye infections and topically (relative to body surfaces) for.