''Collinsonia canadensis'', commonly called richweed or stoneroot, is a species of

perennial In horticulture, the term perennial ('' per-'' + '' -ennial'', "through the year") is used to differentiate a plant from shorter-lived annuals and biennials. It has thus been defined as a plant that lives more than 2 years. The term is also ...

herb Herbs are a widely distributed and widespread group of plants, excluding vegetables, with savory or aromatic properties that are used for flavoring and garnishing food, for medicinal purposes, or for fragrances. Culinary use typically distingu ...

in the

mint family The Lamiaceae ( ) or Labiatae are a family of flowering plants commonly known as the mint, deadnettle, or sage family. Many of the plants are aromatic in all parts and include widely used culinary herbs like basil, mint, rosemary, sage, sav ...

. It is native to eastern North America, primarily east of the

Mississippi River The Mississippi River is the main stem, primary river of the largest drainage basin in the United States. It is the second-longest river in the United States, behind only the Missouri River, Missouri. From its traditional source of Lake Ita ...

, where it is widespread. It is the most broadly distributed member of the genus ''Collinsonia'', ranging north to Quebec and south to Florida. Its natural habitat is nutrient-rich mesic forests, most often in rocky, calcareous areas.IllinoisWildflowers
/ref> ''Collinsonia canadensis'' can grow up to tall and has terminal clusters of tiny, tubular yellow flowers. Leaves are green, large, sharply toothed, and ovate. It produces lemon-scented flowers in mid-summer, a time when little else is in bloom in densely shaded forests.

Traditional herbal use

''Collinsonia canadensis'' was used by Native Americans to treat a variety of ailments. However, European-American settlers in North America did not often use this species after they initially discovered it, due to it lacking any conspicuous toxic qualities. It was not until the mid-1800s when it regained popularity as a medicinal herb. The leaves can be brewed into tea, and the subterranean stem was once used as a diuretic, tonic, and astringent.

Gallery

Image:Collinsonia canadensis SCA-04298.jpg, Detail of ''Collinsonia canadensis'' flowers.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q5147449 Lamiaceae Flora of Northern America Plants used in traditional Native American medicine Plants described in 1753 Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus