Heuchera americana, or American alumroot (also called Coral bells or Rock geranium), is a small (under 2 ft. high and wide) evergreen perennial native to eastern and central North America while also ranging into Ontario, Canada. It is a part of the Saxifrage family.
| Heuchera americana | |
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Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Saxifragales |
| Family: | Saxifragaceae |
| Genus: | Heuchera |
| Species: | H. americana
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| Binomial name | |
| Heuchera americana | |
Characteristics
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American alumroot has lobed semi-palmate green, purple, or brown leaves that may or may not be veined or marbled. Loose racemes of insignificant green to cream flowers up to 1 meter tall bloom June to August. It is a monecious plant with 5 stamen and can either have 5 petals and sepals or 5 tepals. The leaf arrangement is alternate. It is a ground cover plant. Found naturally in rock crevices and ledges of bluffs; it has a preference for acidic soil. It is susceptible to leaf scorch making it best grown in areas with at least some shade.[1][2][3][4][5]
This species has become popular with horticulturists and home-gardeners. It is usually grown for its unique foliage. New varieties are introduced regularly.[1]
Historical usage
editAmerican alumroot has been used by many Indigenous tribes in the past. For example, The Lumbee have used the herb to treat things like gastroenteritis, sore throats, ulcers, and dysentery while the Cherokee used American Alumroot to treat hemorrhoids, mouth soreness, irregular menstruation, and gastrointestinal problems.[6]
Current usage
editThe American alumroot has a lot of tannin which makes it very astringent and good for fixing dyes.
The American Alumroot has been proposed to help with cancer and vaginal discharges, but this connection has not been thoroughly researched. Its side effects are reported to be irritation of the stomach, and kidney and liver failure[7]
Gallery
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Heuchera americana 'Garnet' leaf -
Heuchera americana 'Garnet' emerging flower stalk
References
edit- ^ a b "Heuchera americana". Missouri Botanical Garden. Retrieved 18 Feb 2016.
- ^ "Plants Profile for Heuchera americana American alumroot". NRCS Plants Database. Retrieved 18 Feb 2016.
- ^ "Heuchera americana (common alum-root): Go Botany". gobotany.nativeplanttrust.org. Retrieved 2024-03-12.
- ^ "Heuchera americana (Alumroot, American Alum Root, American Sanicle, Coral Bells, Rock Geranium) | North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox". plants.ces.ncsu.edu. Retrieved 2024-03-19.
- ^ "Heuchera americana, Heuchera Trial, Native Plant Research". Mt. Cuba Center. Retrieved 2024-03-19.
- ^ Boughman, Arvis Locklear; Oxendine, Loretta O. (2004). Herbal remedies of the Lumbee Indians. Jefferson, N.C: McFarland. ISBN 978-0-7864-1332-4.
- ^ "Heuchera americana (Rock Geranium) - Practical Plants". practicalplants.org. Retrieved 2024-03-21.
Further reading
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- "Heuchera Americana", North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
- "Coral Bells, Heuchera Americana", Georgia Native Plant Society
- "Heuchera americana", Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, University of Texas at Austin
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