A small perennial, evergreen herb, 4" - 6" tall. Rhizomes bright yellow to orange. Leaves blade ternate; leaflets sessile or short-petiolulate, blade cuneate-obovate, margins serrate, slightly lobed distally. Inflorescences 1-flowered, usually equal to or longer than leaves at anthesis, 3-17 cm, not elongating in fruit. Flowers erect; sepals spreading, oblanceolate to obovate or elliptic, 4-11× 1-4 mm; petals clavate, nectary apical, blade absent; stamens 30-60. Follicles 4-7; stipe equal to or longer than body; body elliptic, 3.9-7 mm; beak straight to ascending, 2-4 mm. Seeds 1-1.5 mm.

Antiphlogistic, highly astringent, sedative, stomachic, tonic (dried roots, stems and leaves);

Coptis trifolia
Plants for a Future

In the treatment of thrush in children, ulcerated mouths and as a gargle for sore throats or mouths (plant)