Yellowroot
Xanthorhiza simplicissima
Ranuncluaceae


Landscape Uses:

Natural landscapes.

Ecological Restoration Notes:

Availability:
Grown by enthusiasts.
Description:
Deciduous shrub up to 4 feet tall spreading by rhizomes. Sparsely branched, erect twigs with compound leaves and 1 inch long deeply lobed leaflets. Small, purplish flowers in drooping clusters.
Height:
Up to 4 feet in height.
Growth Rate:
Fast.
Range:
Southern United states to Santa Rosa to Gadsden counties.
Habitats:
Riverbanks.
Soils:
Moist to wet, well-drained to seasonally inundated organic freshwater soils, with a humusy top layer.
Nutritional Requirements:
Moderate; can grow in nutrient poor soils, but needs some organic content to thrive.
Salt Water Tolerance:
Low; does not tolerate flooding by salt or brackish water.
Salt Wind Tolerance:
Low; salt wind may burn the leaves.
Drought Tolerance:
Moderate to low; requires moist to wet soils, but tolerant of short periods of drought once established.
Light Requirements:
Moderate to light shade.
Flower Color:
Dark purplish.
Flower Characteristics:
Showy.
Flowering Season:
Spring.
Fruit:
Yellowish pods.
Wildlife and Ecology:
Horticultural Notes:
Comments:
We have been adding data for this species for central and northern Florida and welcome any feedback or review. If you would like to contribute information or images, please contact George Gann via the IRC staff page.