Bethroot

General Description

Bethroot is as perennial herb that reaches 8 to 16 inches in height. Each plant has one stout stem with three leaves in a whorl at the top. Leaves are 3 to 7 inches long, broadly ovate with a point at the apex and a narrow base, attached to the stem without a noticeable petiole. The flowers and flower parts are also arranged in threes; with three sepals and three petals that are 1 inche long and 1/2 inch wide, lance-shaped and spreading. The sepals are green while the petal color varies from dark purple, pink, white, or greenish. The flower, which appears in April to June, has an unpleasant odor. It is succeeded by an oval, reddish berry. The root is short and thick, with a brown exterior and white to yellow interior, covered in numerous rootlets. The top of the root bears the remains of stem bases in a succession of fine rings. (Grieve 1931, Harding 1936, Haughton 2001, Reed 2001, Sievers 1930).

Natural Habitat

This plant is found in rich soils of damp, shaded woodlands, from Canada to south Georgia and Alabama (Reed 2001, Sievers 1930, USDA, NRCS 2001). It is hardy in USDA zones 4 to 9 (Horticopia, Inc. 2001).

Uses

The root is collected after flowering in late summer and dried for later use. Its medicinal actions are alterative, antiseptic, astringent, diaphoretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, parturient, poultice, and uterine tonic. Because the root contains steroidal sapoponins that are a natural precursor to female sex hormones, it is mainly used as a womens herb. It is taken internally as a treatment for hemorrhaging due to menses or postpartum difficulties, to aid in childbirth, and to treat uterine fibroids. Other internal uses include treatments for diarrhea and dysentery, coughs and other bronchial problems, and for urinary irregularities. The root is used externally to treat excessive vaginal discharge, sore nipples, ulcers, skin complaints, gangrene, and insect bites and stings. The whole plant has been used as a poultice for tumors, inflammations, and ulcers (Fern 1997-2000, Foster and Duke 2000, Grieve 1931, Harding 1936, Haughton 2001, McInnis-Shaw 1994, Sievers 1930).

Status

Bethroot and other Trillium species are listed as "At Risk" by United Plant Savers and should not be harvested from natural habitat (United Plant Savers).

Silviculture

Trilliums grow in a wide range of soil types from sandy to clay with a wide range of pH, but they prefer moist soils. Light conditions are full shade to part sun (Fern 1997-2000, Horticopia, Inc. 2001).

Plants can be propagated from seeds sown in a cold frame in late winter or early spring. Germination requires 1-3 months of cold temperatures. A root is produced after the first stratification period, and a shoot after the second winter. Seedlings are prone to damping off and need good air circulation. Plants started from seed will take several years to bloom. Division may also be done after flowering in spring. Large roots can be planted directly, while smaller roots should be potted for the first few growing seasons (Fern 1997-2000).

References

• Additional NTFP References
• Garden Web Glossary of Botanical Terms
• Dictionary of Medical Terms
• National Arboretum USDA Hardiness Zones Map