Flower ID: IMG_0316.JPG-05-11-2017 Flower name (scientific): Caulophyllum thalictroides André Michaux PY: 1803. Pronunciation guide: (phonetic spelling) kaw-loh-FY-lum thal-ik-TROY-deez Flower name (common): Blue Cohosh Family name (common): Barberry Family name (scientific): Berberidaceae Scientific name origin: Genus: Derived from the Greek kaulos, for stem, and the Greek phyllon, for leaf. Specific epithet: Resembles Thalitrum (plants in the genus Meadow-rue). Common name origin: From the color of the berries. Cohosh is a name used by North American Indians for several plants having medicinal applications. Flower description: Size: 0.38 to 0.5 inches (10 to 13 mm) wide. Petal count: 6 Color: Green to yellow. Other: flower arrangement, Panicle Plant description: Erect, stem light green, sometimes with a tinge of purple. Size: 12 to 36 inches (30 to 91 cm) tall. Stem hairy: glabrous Other: Leaf description: attachment is alternate, type is compound and lobed Size: Lower leaf 20+ cm long, upper leaf 8 to 14 cm long. Leaflets about 3 to 8 cm long and 2 to 10 cm wide. Color: Upper surface medium green, lower surface lighter green. Hairy: glabrous. Other: Shape: leaf, 2-ternate or 3-ternate or 4-ternate (FNA), leaflet, broadly ovate-oblong to obovate-oblong (IL) Origin (native, introduced, invasive): Native Status (common, uncommon, threatened, rare): Common Bloom time (typical): April to May Cycle (annual, biennial, perennial): Perennial Habitat: Mesic woodlands and forests, shade or part shade, moist, rich soil. Fruit: The ovary ruptures early due to the developing seeds, which have a berry-like appearance. Seed: Berry-like seeds, initally green turning deep blue at maturity, about 8 mm in diameter. Importance to wildlife: Similar species (if any): No close lookalikes. The related Caulophyllum giganteum is not present in Wisconsin, Minnesota, or Illinois, but is reported for Michigan. The flower color for the latter species is purple. While the leaflets of Caulophyllum thalictroides are similar to various Thalictrum species (Meadow Rues), the flowers and berries of C. thalictroides are different from those species. Ethnobotany: The Menominee employed the root to prepare a tea that was used to surpress extreme menstruation (Smith, p. 25, 1923). The Meskwaki used the root in a similar fashion to the Menominee, and also used the roots to to prepare a urinary remedy for men (Smith, p. 205, 1928). The Ojibwe used the roots for painful menstruation cramps, and also prepared a tea from the roots for use as an emetic (Smith, p. 358, 1932). The Potawatomi prepared a tea from this plant which was used to treat heavy menstruation and as an aid to childbirth (Smith, p. 38, 1933). Latitude: Longitude: Altitude: Distribution: In Wisconsin: (Adams, Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Brown, Buffalo, Burnett, Calumet, Chippewa, Clark, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Door, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Florence, Fond du Lac, Forest, Grant, Green, Iowa, Iron, Jackson, Jefferson, Juneau, Kenosha, Kewaunee, La Crosse, Lafayette, Langlade, Lincoln, Manitowoc, Marathon, Marinette, Menominee, Milwaukee, Monroe, Oconto, Oneida, Outagamie, Ozaukee, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, Portage, Price, Racine, Richland, Rock, Rusk, Sauk, Sawyer, Shawano, Sheboygan, St. Croix, Taylor, Trempealeau, Vernon, Vilas, Walworth, Washburn, Washington, Waukesha, Waupaca, Waushara, Winnebago, Wood) Click here for distribution map In US: (AL, AR, CT, DE, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, VA, VT, WI, WV) Click here for distribution map In Canada: (MB, NB, NS, ON, QC) Click here for distribution map References: Synonym(s): Basionym: Leontice thalictroides Linnaeus Sp. Pl. 1: 312. 1753. Homotypic Synonym(s): POWO lists 1 homotypic synonym for this speciess. Heterotypic Synonym(s): POWO lists 1 heterotypic synonym for this species. Autonym: na Wetland Status (NC): Not listed Wetland Status (MW): Not listed