Online Virtual Flora of Wisconsin - Caulophyllum thalictroides

Caulophyllum thalictroides (L.) Michx.

Family: Berberidaceae

blue cohosh, papoose-root, squaw-root

[Caulophyllum thalictroides var. thalictroides (L.) Michx., more...]

Keir Morse

Kenneth J. Sytsma

University of Wisconsin - Madison (WIS-VP)

Open Interactive Map

Etymology: Caulophyllum: Greek kaulos for "stem" and phyllum for "leaf"
Plants: erect, perennial, 1'-3' tall forb, smooth
Leaves: large, from above the middle of the stem; 3-parted into leaflets which are again 3-parted and 2-5-lobed
Flowers: green to yellow, 6-parted, 3/8"-1/2" wide; inflorescence a branched, terminal cluster (cyme) of 5-70 flowers; blooms April-May
Fruits: dark blue, berry-like, stalked
Habitat: moist; woods, forests; in rich soil

Mesic forests of oak, sugar maple-basswood, sugar maple-beech, oak-hickory, pine-oak, and sometimes white spruce; also occasionally in low woods and thickets. Found throughout the state but absent or rare in most of the Central Sands and Central Sand Hills