Xanthorhiza simplicissima native yellowroot ground cover
Xanthorhiza simplicissima native yellowroot ground cover
Xanthorhiza simplicissima native yellowroot ground cover
Xanthorhiza simplicissima native yellowroot ground cover
Xanthorhiza simplicissima native yellowroot ground cover
Xanthorhiza simplicissima native yellowroot ground cover

🌱 Medicinal

Yellowroot

Xanthorhiza simplicissima

$23.00 $18.40 Sale Sold out
Medicinal

1 Gallon | Hardiness Zones 3-9

John Bartram collected Xanthorhiza simplicissima from the Carolina mountains sometime before 1776 and brought it back to his famous Philadelphia garden, which tells you two things: that yellowroot has been in cultivation for as long as this country has existed, and that people who know plants have always recognized something worth paying attention to here. The Cherokee had already known it for considerably longer. They used the roots — sliced open to reveal a vivid, almost electric chrome yellow — as a dye, a bitter tonic, and a medicine for ailments ranging from mouth sores to stomach complaints. The active compound is berberine, the same antimicrobial alkaloid found in goldenseal, and the roots produce it in striking quantity. Xanthorhiza is Greek for yellow root. The name is not a metaphor.

What Bartram brought into cultivation, and what the Cherokee had long understood, is that this plant is a great deal more than it first appears. It is technically a shrub — a single-genus family within the Ranunculaceae, the buttercup clan, which comes as a mild surprise to anyone who encounters those parsley-like compound leaves for the first time. In early spring, before the foliage has fully extended, it produces drooping panicles of tiny purplish-brown flowers with yellow centers — not showy from a distance, but worth crouching down for. The foliage that follows is its summer character: bright, finely textured, fern-like in effect, forming a dense low canopy that suppresses weeds and holds its composure through the heat. Then autumn comes, and yellowroot does something most people weren't prepared for — the foliage moves through a full spectrum of maroon, scarlet, orange, and gold, a fall display that looks borrowed from a much showier plant.

It spreads steadily by underground rhizome, tolerates shade that defeats most flowering shrubs, handles wet soils and — once established — reasonable drought. Four centuries of cultivation behind it, a Bartram connection, a living ethnobotanical record, and fall color worth photographing. The argument makes itself.

Photos courtesy of Julie Makin and Alan Cressler

Pickup currently unavailable at Aiken Nursery

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.

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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