The Goldthread

One little species I’ve just managed to collect seeds from, although not an easy task, is the Goldthread – Coptis trifolia.

A member of Ranunculaceae with circumboreal distribution, Coptis enjoys cooler, moist conditions in deciduous or coniferous forests and often grows on mossy bumps on the wetland edges together with other species like Medeola, Clintonia, Viola macloskeyi, Trientalis borealis, Skunk cabbage…

Coptis trifolia, Goldthread; the name goldthread comes from the golden-yellow, thin rhizomes that were chewed by Native Americans to treat mouth sores, and later used as ingredients in gargles for sore throats and eye washes.

Almost every year I have the privilege to admire the white, rich in nectar flowers early in the spring, at the same time when Hepatica is in flower (in SW Ontario). It will put up new shiny, evergreen trifoliate leaves after is done flowering and setting seeds.

About the seeds, well, being a Fam. Ranunculaceae member, usually the germination may be a bit difficult. Going deeper into the subject, it seems that the tiny seeds contain an even tinier underdeveloped embryo. Like other Ranunculaceae with similar seed collection times and underdeveloped embryos, for best germination I recommend a slightly warm/moist stratification period (meaning sowing in early fall asap) followed by a cold/moist stratification (winter). Even so, it is possible to require a second warm/cold cycles and the germination to occur in the second year after sowing.

Coptis trifolia capsules and seeds (1 mm grid)

Coptis trifolia growing on moss covered decayed stump, with Medeola virginiana and Canada Mayflower (Maianthemum canadense).

Given the small size of the seeds and considering the way is naturally growing, it can be tried by sowing the seeds in moss, as described for Gaultheria procumbens.

Note: Coptis trifolia was first described as Helleborus trifolius by Linnaeus in 1753.