A graceful perennial, stems are about 2 to 3 feet high, several erect and branched stems being produced from the same root. The leaves are almost stemless and trifoliate; that is, composed of three leaflets. They are ovate or lanceolate, 2 to 3 inches long, narrowed at the base, smooth and toothed. The nodding, white pinkish flowers are few, produced in loose terminal clusters from May to July. The five petals are long, narrowed or tapering toward the base, white or pinkish, and inserted in the tubular, somewhat bell shaped, red tinged calyx. The seed pods are slightly hairy.

Cathartic, slightly diaphoretic, a mild and efficient emetic, expectorant and tonic (dried powdered root bark); strongly laxative and emetic (tea from whole plant); tonic, emetic, a cathartic, expectorant, purgative, tonic emetic, and expectorant (root).

Plants for a Future
Gillenia trifoliata

In the treatment of colds, chronic diarrhoea, constipation, asthma and other bronchial complaints (dried powdered root bark); for rheumatism (root); colds, indigestion, asthma and hepatitis (tea from whole plant).