Xanthorhiza simplicissima native yellowroot ground cover
Xanthorhiza simplicissima native yellowroot ground cover
Xanthorhiza simplicissima native yellowroot ground cover
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🌱 Medicinal

Yellowroot

Xanthorhiza simplicissima

$23.00 $18.40 Sale
Medicinal

1 Gallon | Hardiness Zones 3-9

Xanthorhiza simplicissima, commonly known as Yellowroot, is a resilient and low-maintenance native plant that is prized for its unique yellow roots, dense spreading habit, and ability to thrive in shady areas.

Perfect for woodland gardens, stream banks, and naturalized landscapes, this hardy perennial is a top choice for ground cover and erosion control. Native to the eastern United States, Yellowroot naturally grows in moist, wooded areas and is an excellent solution for difficult, shaded spaces in the garden.

Versatile Ground Cover

Yellowroot is an ideal ground cover for areas where other plants may struggle. Its vigorous underground rhizomes allow it to spread quickly, forming dense colonies that help stabilize soil, making it particularly useful on slopes or in areas prone to erosion.

Growing up to 1-2 feet tall, it creates a lush, green carpet of finely toothed leaves that turn a brilliant yellow or orange in the fall, adding year-round visual interest.

Subtle Spring Blooms

While primarily grown for its ground cover and erosion control properties, Xanthorhiza simplicissima produces small, star-shaped, purplish-brown flowers in early spring.

These delicate blooms form in loose clusters along the stems, adding a touch of natural charm and attracting pollinators. Though the flowers are not the plant’s most striking feature, they complement the overall texture of the plant and contribute to its understated woodland beauty.

Photos courtesy of Julie Makin and Alan Cressler
Plant Info

Hardiness Zones: 3 to 9

Height: 2 to 3 Feet

Spread: 2 to 3 Feet

Seaonsal: Deciduous

Growth Rate: Moderate
Medicinal Uses
  • Digestive Health
  • Respiratory Support
  • Topical Applications
Care Instructions

Sunlight: Xanthorhiza simplicissima thrives in partial shade to full shade, though it can tolerate some full sun, especially in cooler climates. For optimal growth, plant it in areas that receive dappled sunlight or morning sun with afternoon shade.

Soil: This plant prefers moist, well-drained soils with a slightly acidic pH. It thrives in humus-rich soils and can adapt to a variety of soil types, including loamy or sandy soils. While it tolerates wet conditions, especially near streams or ponds, it does not do well in constantly waterlogged soil.

Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist, particularly during the plant’s first growing season. Once established, Xanthorhiza simplicissima is relatively drought-tolerant but will perform best with regular watering in dry spells, especially in hot climates.

Fertilization: Fertilization is not typically necessary for Xanthorhiza simplicissima, as it grows well in nutrient-rich organic soil. If soil quality is poor, a light application of compost or organic fertilizer in spring can promote growth.

Pruning: Pruning is not usually required, but trimming back dead or damaged stems in early spring can help maintain its shape and appearance. If the plant spreads too aggressively, it can be divided or cut back in early spring or late fall.

Propagation: Xanthorhiza simplicissima spreads through underground rhizomes and can be propagated by division in spring or fall. It can also be propagated by seed, though this method takes longer to establish.

Pests and Diseases: Yellowroot is generally pest-free and disease-resistant, making it a low-maintenance plant for woodland or shade gardens.

Winter Care: Hardy in USDA zones 3-9, Xanthorhiza simplicissima is highly winter-hardy and requires no special winter care. It will die back in colder climates but regrows vigorously in spring.
Flower & Foliage Description

Xanthorhiza simplicissima produces delicate, star-shaped flowers that bloom in early spring (typically April to May). The flowers are small—around 0.5 inches in diameter—and appear in loose, drooping clusters along the stems. These blossoms are a deep, purplish-brown color, giving them a subtle, understated beauty that contrasts with the bright yellow of the plant’s roots (hence the common name, Yellowroot).

The flowers are not particularly showy but have a natural charm that suits woodland and shade gardens. After flowering, small seed capsules form, though these are not the plant’s primary feature of interest.

The plant's yellow roots are its most distinctive feature, often used in herbal medicine and dye-making. While the flowers are somewhat inconspicuous, they add early-season interest to the garden and provide a nectar source for pollinators.

Pickup available at Aiken Nursery

Usually ready in 2-4 days

research rating: 3.5 / 5

Yellowroot

Antimicrobial – Effective against bacteria, fungi, and some protozoa due to its berberine content, Anti-inflammatory – Helps reduce internal and external inflammation, Astringent – Contracts tissues and reduces secretions; useful for diarrhea, sore throats, and wounds, Cholagogue – Stimulates bile flow; supports liver and gallbladder function, Bitter Tonic – Stimulates digestion and appetite by promoting digestive secretions, Hepatic – Supports and tones the liver, Antidiarrheal – Traditionally used to treat dysentery, diarrhea, and gastrointestinal infections, Antipyretic – Used to reduce fevers in traditional herbal practice, Topical Antiseptic – Applied externally for wounds, skin infections, and ulcers, and Antioxidant (potential) – Emerging research suggests berberine may have free radical–scavenging properties

  • Digestive Health
  • Respiratory Support
  • Topical Applications

Yellowroot has a rich history in traditional medicine, especially among Indigenous peoples such as the Cherokee and Catawba tribes. European settlers and African American communities also adopted yellowroot into their folk remedies, using it for similar purposes.



Yellowroot (Xanthorhiza simplicissima) holds significant ethnobotanical importance due to its traditional medicinal uses and the presence of bioactive compounds like berberine. While modern research supports some of its antimicrobial properties, further clinical studies are necessary to fully understand its efficacy and safety profile. As with any herbal remedy, it is essential to consult healthcare professionals before use, especially considering potential risks during pregnancy and the lack of standardized dosing guidelines.

💡 Tip: Berberine is not highly water-soluble, so alcohol-based tinctures often provide stronger medicinal effects than teas.

Important: While yellowroot is a powerful traditional remedy, improper use or high doses of berberine can be toxic—especially for pregnant individuals and infants. Always consult with a qualified herbalist or healthcare provider before use.

Preparation:

  • Decoction (Tea): Traditional use: For internal treatment of sore throats, colds, ulcers, indigestion, liver issues, and general inflammation. Taste note: The tea is intensely bitter, which is part of its astringent, tonifying effect.
  • Tincture: Yellowroot is steeped in high-proof alcohol (typically 1:5 herb-to-solvent ratio using 40–50% ethanol) for 2–6 weeks. A few drops to a teaspoon is taken in water or under the tongue, usually for digestive issues, infections, and immune support.
  • Powdered Root (Capsules or Loose): Often used for liver support or mild antimicrobial effects. Less commonly used due to its bitter taste.
  • Topical Poultice or Wash: The root is boiled and mashed, or steeped to make a strong tea used externally. For skin infections, wounds, hemorrhoids, and eye inflammation (as an eye wash in very dilute preparations)
  • Infused Oil or Salve (Less Common): Blended into salves for wound care and muscle aches. Note: This is less common because berberine is more soluble in alcohol and water than oil.

Parts Used:

  • Root (Rhizome): Most commonly used part. Contains the highest concentration of berberine and other alkaloids. Used for teas, tinctures, decoctions, and powders
  • Stem Bark (occasionally used): Sometimes used interchangeably with root bark in traditional medicine. Contains similar, though lower, concentrations of active compounds

  • Berberine – A powerful isoquinoline alkaloid with well-documented antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and blood sugar–lowering properties, often used in the treatment of infections and metabolic disorders.
  • Magnoflorine – A mildly sedative alkaloid known for its antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory effects, often contributing to the calming and digestive benefits of the plant.
  • Liriodenine – An aporphine-type alkaloid with reported antibacterial and antifungal properties, also studied for its potential anti-cancer activity.
  • Oxyacanthine – A less common bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloid with hypotensive and antiarrhythmic effects, contributing to cardiovascular support in traditional formulations.

Medicinal Considerations

  • Pregnancy and Lactation: Berberine can cross the placenta and is present in breast milk; it has been associated with jaundice and kernicterus in neonates.
  • Dosage: There is no standardized dosing; however, traditional use involved teas and tinctures.
  • Potential Contaminants: Cases of toxicity have been reported due to contaminants like arsenic in improperly prepared yellowroot products.

Research References:

An exploration of the effectiveness of Xanthorrhiza simplicissima and its secondary alkaloids as antibiotics against Staphylococcus aureus with the use of Reserpine

Antimicrobial Properties of Alkaloids from Xanthorhiza simplicissima

Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine: Yellowroot profile

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