A perennial herbaceous plant, growing in early spring from 5 to 15 cm tall. Rhizomes spread just below the soil surface, forming long spreading clumps that grow quickly, contributing to its rapid spread in woodland conditions, where they often carpet large areas. Leaves are dissected and may be hairy. Flower is 2 cm in diameter, with six or seven petal-like segments (actually tepals) with many stamens, occurs in colors of white through blue to purple.

Antirheumatic, rubefacient and tonic (leaves); antiseptic, neurotonic, vesicant and toxic (plant).

Plants For A Future

The plant is recommended for a variety of complaints such as headaches, gout, amenorrhea, arthrosis, asthma, bronchosis, cancer, foot cancer, corn, coughs, dermatosis, dysmenorrhea, indurations, pain, pertussis, pleurosis and stomachache. It is sometimes used externally as a counter-irritant in the treatment of rheumatism.

Internally it may cause colic and diarrhea, irritating GI tract and urethra; externally a vesicant, irritating skin and mucus membrane. Ingestion of 30 freshly harvested plants is considered the lethal dose for humans.