threeleaf goldthread
ExplorePlants
threeleaf goldthread
Coptis trifolia
Threeleaf goldthread is a small plant with shiny, green leaves that grow in groups of three. It often grows in cool, shady forests and has pretty yellow flowers that bloom in spring.
Habitat: Forests
Appearance
The threeleaf goldthread has glossy, dark green evergreen leaves, each divided into three distinct, toothed leaflets. From these low-growing leaves emerges a delicate stalk topped by a single, small white flower with five to seven slender petals, appearing star-like against the forest floor.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderRanunculalesFamilyRanunculaceaeGenusCoptis
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
2/5 · Low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
If you look closely, each leaf looks like three tiny hearts joined together!
Its bright yellow roots are where it gets the 'goldthread' part of its name!
The shiny leaves can stay green all winter, peeking out from under the snow!
Tiny star-shaped white flowers are among the very first to bloom in the spring!
Special abilities
Ability
Year-Round Green
threeleaf goldthread has evergreen leaves that help it photosynthesize even under winter snow, giving it a head start in spring.
Ability
Golden Roots
threeleaf goldthread has bright yellow, thread-like rhizomes that store energy and spread the plant, helping it thrive in the forest.
Ability
Tough Ground Hugger
threeleaf goldthread has a low-growing form that helps it stay protected from harsh winds and heavy snow on the forest floor.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 5-15 cm
- Spread
- 10-25 cm
- Flower Size
- 0.5-1 cm
- Bloom Season
- Late spring to early summer
- Edible
- No
- Toxicity
- Mild
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
pollinates
Viereck's sweat bee
Lasioglossum vierecki
Drinks nectar and collects pollen from its small white flowers.
eaten by
White-tailed deer
Odocoileus virginianus
Occasionally browses its leaves, especially when other food is scarce.
depends on
Eastern Hemlock
Tsuga canadensis
Thrives in the cool, moist, acidic understory created by hemlock forests.
Traits
Flowering
Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
Shade Tolerant
Shade tolerant plants are adapted to grow and thrive in areas with low light levels, requiring less direct sunlight.
Spring Blooming
Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth.
Evergreen
Evergreen plants retain their foliage throughout the year, never shedding all their leaves at once.
Medicinal
Medicinal plants possess chemical compounds that can be used for therapeutic purposes to treat illnesses or maintain health.
Edible
Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Threatened
Threatened status denotes a species likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future without effective conservation interventions.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
2/5 · Low
Don't touch or eat plants unless you know they are safe!
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is threeleaf goldthread?
5-15 cm
How wide does threeleaf goldthread spread?
10-25 cm
How big are the flowers on threeleaf goldthread?
0.5-1 cm
When does threeleaf goldthread bloom?
Late spring to early summer
Is threeleaf goldthread edible?
No
Is threeleaf goldthread toxic?
Mild
What is threeleaf goldthread's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is threeleaf goldthread pollinated?
Insect
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