What was spirit weed?

By Chelsie Vandaveer

October 11, 2004

killerPlants Tendrils: ~~1~~2~~3~~4~~5~~

Suggested Reading—>Click here.

Assorted Killer Savings Garden Links—>Click here.

Killer Picks: JUMBO Amaryllis, Rembrandt Tulip, Dutch Treat Gift Box & more—>Click here.

The Carolina redroot (Lachnanthes caroliana (Lamarck) Dandy) is native to wetlands of eastern North America. The roots and rhizome of the Carolina redroot were a source of red dye for settlers of North America. Dyeing was probably learned from eastern Native Americans who were well acquainted with this wildflower. Settlers also took redroot as a medicinal. (See Plant of the Week, September 6, 2004)

In American Medicinal Plants, Charles F. Millspaugh wrote that a tincture was made from the whole flowering plant. The clear red liquid was "recommended in typhus (a fever accompanied by intense headaches and delirium caused by Rickettsia prowazkeii and spread by body lice)
Plant of the Week 09/06/2004

Carolina Redroot (Lachnanthes caroliana)
Plant of the Week 09/06/2004

and typhoid fevers (diarrhea, intestinal inflammation, prostration, and headaches caused by Salmonella enterica), pneumonia, various severe forms of brain disease, rheumatic wry-neck, and laryngeal cough."

Millspaugh footnoted that he found the tincture particularly useful in treating "...stiffness of the neck and shoulders, with inability to turn the head without severe pain, especially where the trouble seemed to be first a neuralgia of the fifth nerve...."

But the cure was almost as bad as the problems it was said to treat. Even a few drops had wicked after-effects: "...ill-humor; vertigo and headache; brightness of the eye with dilation of the pupil followed by dullness, pressive pains, and impaired vision: tearing in the ears; hectic redness of the cheeks; dryness of the throat; rumbling of flatus in the abdomen; fullness and heat in the chest; increased heart's action; pain and stiffness of the neck and shoulders; restlessness; sleeplessness; and coldness and fever followed by sticky sweat."

Even with the bad effects, Native Americans revered the plant as "spirit weed". A tonic was taken during times of special need. Millspaugh explained, "The root was esteemed as an invigorating tonic by the Aborigines, especially the Seminoles in whom it is said to cause brilliancy and fearless expression of the eye and countenance, a boldness and fluency of speech, and other symptoms of heroic bearing...." (American Medicinal Plants, Charles F. Millspaugh, 1892, reprinted Dover Publications, 1974)

The Connecticut Botanical Society has three great photographs of redroot taken by Eleanor Saulys. To view her photographs, click on the link:

http://www.ct-botanical-society.org/galleries/lachnanthescaro.html

killerPlants Tendrils: ~~1~~2~~3~~4~~5~~

Unique Professionally Designed Gardens

Springhill Nursery®

Spring Hill Nursery has unique gardens professionally designed by experts to take the guesswork out of gardening. Whether you are looking for a three season garden, foundation garden, or a garden to attract hummingbirds and butterflies, Spring Hill Nursery has created a step-by-step design just for you. Click here - $20 off your first order at Spring Hill Nursery!

Minerva Amaryllis, JUMBO

Breck's Bulbs®

Huge bulb produces multiple stems, each carrying several gorgeous red and white flowers.

A truly exceptional display you'll enjoy anywhere in your home or office. Lovely red blooms feature a white star in the heart of each flower.

We guarantee you won't be disappointed!

Our JUMBO bulbs produce larger flowers - and more of them (compared to our already premium-sized bulbs)! See below for details...

LARGER BULBS = LARGER FLOWERS... AND MORE OF THEM!

Bulb Size: 36-38 cm. (compared to 26-28 cm.)
Number of stems: 3-4 (compared to 2-3)
Number of flowers per stem: 4 (compared to 3-4)
Flower Size (diameter): 8-10" (compared to 6-8")
Height: 24"
Bloom Time: Approx. 6 weeks after planting.

Our Jumbo Amaryllis bulbs are nearly 4 inches larger in circumference than our other offerings of the same varieties.

This Item Ships In The Fall Click here - Free $25 off any order of $50 or more at Brecks Bulbs

Also available as a 26-28 cm. bulb (for fewer, smaller flowers). [More Amaryllis]

Scarlet Majesty Tulip

Breck's Bulbs®

With its enormous, bright red 7" double blooms resembling peonies, Scarlet Majesty is truly exceptional. Each bloom is like an entire bouquet! Reserve these lightly fragrant and long-lasting beauties today. Zones 3-8. 12+ cm bulbs.

Height: 18-20"

Blooms: Mid Spring

*Breck's Exclusive*

This Item Ships In The Fall Click here - Free $25 off any order of $50 or more at Brecks Bulbs

Flowers like Peonies. Slightly fragrant. Just cut one flower head with only 2" of the stem and let if float in a bowl of water. You will be amazed of the flower size. Beautiful table decoration

Click here to view more Tulips - Free $25 off any order of $50 or more at Brecks Bulbs

Improved Rembrandt Tulip Mix

Breck's Bulbs®

Re-create "Tulipomania" in your garden. That phenomenon gripped Holland in the 17th century and fortunes were spent for just a single bulb. (Plants that Changed History, "How did a flower cause an economic disaster?"

Most prized were the Rembrandt tulips, noted for their intriguing colour patterns. Dutch hybridizers have bred superior varieties - healthy, hardy bulbs that produce the unique colouration often featured in the paintings of Dutch Masters.

This special mix of modern-day Rembrandt tulips from Holland features a colourful array of feathered, variegated 4" blooms that are stunning in the garden and gorgeous in bouquets.

Zones 3-8. 11-12 cm bulbs.
Height: 20-24"
Blooms: Mid to late spring

This Item Ships In The Fall Click here - Free $25 off any order of $50 or more at Brecks Bulbs

Exotic mixture of 'painted' Tulips. Not a single Tulip is the same. These types are the famous 'flamed' Tulips from the Tulipomania period in the 17th century.

Click here to view more Tulips - Free $25 off any order of $50 or more at Brecks Bulbs

Winner's Circle Daylily Collection

Breck's Bulbs®

Daylilies are one of the easiest to grow of all hardy flowers. Plant them once-that’s all there is to it. They grow with little care… reproduce annually… are immune to pests and diseases… yet they bloom with spectacular beauty week after week, year after year.

The Winner's Circle Daylily Collection consists of nine exceptionally beautiful prize Daylily varieties.

You receive one each of the following varieties:

King Pete
Bright Sunset
Spellbinder
Fairy Tale Pink
Joan Senior
Carolyn Criswell
Bama Bound
Strawberry Candy
Prairie Blue Eyes

Plus, when you buy the collection, you'll receive one Daring Deception FREE!

This Item Ships In The Fall Click here - Free $25 off any order of $50 or more at Brecks Bulbs

Brecks Dutch Treat Collection

Breck's Bulbs®

The ideal starter collection for your garden - or a friend's. Eight outstanding varieties of fresh, prime-quality Dutch bulbs rushed across the Atlantic to America and fully guaranteed to grow and bloom.

This spectacular 100-bulb assortment demonstrates to beginners, as well as to expert gardeners, how lovely your surroundings can be with a multitude of bright flowers from the fields of Holland.

Exciting blooms start peeking through in early spring and keep coming until summer is in sight. Shipped in a distinctive gift box with complete planting instructions.

In this collection you will receive: