Difference between revisions of "Coptis"
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| + | Coptis (Greek, to cut, from the cut leaves). Ranunculaceae. Hardy perennial herbs of the cooler parts of the northern hemisphere, sometimes planted in bogs and moist places. | ||
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| + | Low, stemless plants, with slender rootstocks: Lvs. radical, compound or divided, lasting over winter: fls. white or yellow, scapose; sepals 5-7, petal- like; petals 5-6, small, linear, hood-like; stamens numerous: carpels stalked, few, becoming an umbel of follicles.— Eight species, only one of which is used in American gardens. | ||
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| + | The bitter roots yield the tonic medicine known as "gold thread;" also a yellow dye. The plants should have peaty soil, with a little sand, and prefer shade, in damp situations. They are rather hardy. The roots withstand severe winters, being native of the cooler parts of the northern hemisphere. If the plants are given some protection in winter, as in a cold pit or by a dressing of litter, the leaves remain green and fresh. The plants are valuable in hardy borders because of the leaves and also the flowers. | ||
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| + | The plants are very easily propagated in either early spring or late fall, the former being preferred. Seeds may be sown when ripe, before they become old, and will grow readily in moist but well-drained soil. They should be only slightly covered with soil but the surface should be kept moist by a close covering with leaves or paper, and partial shade is preferred. The seedlings may be transplanted at any time after the leaves are large, by keeping plenty of soil. | ||
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Revision as of 07:24, 5 August 2009
Read about Coptis in the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture
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Coptis (Greek, to cut, from the cut leaves). Ranunculaceae. Hardy perennial herbs of the cooler parts of the northern hemisphere, sometimes planted in bogs and moist places. Low, stemless plants, with slender rootstocks: Lvs. radical, compound or divided, lasting over winter: fls. white or yellow, scapose; sepals 5-7, petal- like; petals 5-6, small, linear, hood-like; stamens numerous: carpels stalked, few, becoming an umbel of follicles.— Eight species, only one of which is used in American gardens. The bitter roots yield the tonic medicine known as "gold thread;" also a yellow dye. The plants should have peaty soil, with a little sand, and prefer shade, in damp situations. They are rather hardy. The roots withstand severe winters, being native of the cooler parts of the northern hemisphere. If the plants are given some protection in winter, as in a cold pit or by a dressing of litter, the leaves remain green and fresh. The plants are valuable in hardy borders because of the leaves and also the flowers. The plants are very easily propagated in either early spring or late fall, the former being preferred. Seeds may be sown when ripe, before they become old, and will grow readily in moist but well-drained soil. They should be only slightly covered with soil but the surface should be kept moist by a close covering with leaves or paper, and partial shade is preferred. The seedlings may be transplanted at any time after the leaves are large, by keeping plenty of soil.
The above text is from the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture. It may be out of date, but still contains valuable and interesting information which can be incorporated into the remainder of the article. Click on "Collapse" in the header to hide this text. |
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 Coptis occidentalis flowers | ||||||||||||
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Coptis (Gold Thread or Goldenthread) is a genus of between 10–15 species of flowering plants in the family Ranunculaceae, native to Asia and North America.
- Selected species
- Coptis aspleniifolia
- Coptis chinensis
- Coptis deltoidea
- Coptis groenlandica
- Coptis japonica
- Coptis laciniata
- Coptis occidentalis
- Coptis omeiensis
- Coptis quinquefolia
- Coptis quinquesecta
- Coptis teeta
- Coptis trifolia
Uses
Coptis teeta is used as a medicinal herb in the Himalayan regions of India, used as a bitter tonic for dyspepsia. It is also known to help insomnia in Chinese Medicine
Made into a paste, salve, powder, or infusion, it is said to improve digestion, restore appetite, and relieve inflammation of the stomach. It is also employed to assist the treatment of alcoholism.
