Blue Cohosh
Caulophyllum thalictroides
Also listed as Leontice thalictrifolium, Leontice thalictroides
Also known as Common Blue Cohosh, Papoose-root, Squawroot
Climate Match for your location
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A shade-loving woodland perennial with delicate yellow-green flowers and blue berries in autumn. Grows from rhizomes and is traditional in herbal medicine, though primarily ornamental in gardens.
Why grow it
Blue cohosh fills a niche among native woodland groundcovers that tolerate deep shade and established tree root competition, where many ornamental perennials struggle. Unlike some shade plants that require consistent moisture, it adapts to the drier conditions typical of mature forests once established. The blue-black berries provide seasonal interest and support for wildlife, while the fine foliage texture contrasts with bolder shade plants like hostas or ferns.
Watch out for
Germination is slow and erratic, often requiring cold stratification over two winters, which can frustrate propagation efforts. The plant spreads gradually by rhizome rather than self-seeding prolifically, so it may take several seasons to establish a substantial patch. In warmer or drier climates than its native northeastern range, performance tends to be inconsistent and establishment less reliable.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Berberidaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Eastern North America
Native to: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin, West Virginia
Seasonality
Harvest Season
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A shade-loving woodland perennial with delicate yellow-green flowers and blue berries in autumn. Grows from rhizomes and is traditional in herbal medicine, though primarily ornamental in gardens.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Blue Cohosh grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Blue cohosh fills a niche among native woodland groundcovers that tolerate deep shade and established tree root competition, where many ornamental perennials struggle. Unlike some shade plants that require consistent moisture, it adapts to the drier conditions typical of mature forests once established. The blue-black berries provide seasonal interest and support for wildlife, while the fine foliage texture contrasts with bolder shade plants like hostas or ferns.
Watch out for
Germination is slow and erratic, often requiring cold stratification over two winters, which can frustrate propagation efforts. The plant spreads gradually by rhizome rather than self-seeding prolifically, so it may take several seasons to establish a substantial patch. In warmer or drier climates than its native northeastern range, performance tends to be inconsistent and establishment less reliable.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Berberidaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Eastern North America
Native to: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin, West Virginia
Seasonality
Harvest Season
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
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