woodland wildflower
Bowman's root
Gillenia trifoliata
Also known as Indian Physic
1 of 2Native to the Southeast, the Midwest, and the Northeast and southern Canada
Southern Ontario to Delaware and Georgia, west to Kentucky, Arkansas and Louisiana
- Light Part shade to shade Sun tolerance
- Moisture Dry to moist Moisture preference
- Zones 5–8 Cold to heat range
- Bloom Apr–Jun Flowering time
- Height up to 4 ft to 1.2 m
- Life cycle Perennial Annual to perennial
In the garden
A woodland wildflower for part to full shade and dry to moist soil. At up to 4 ft, it suits shade gardens and woodland edges. Hardy in USDA zones 5–8.
Growing conditions
Light
Full sun Partial shade Full shade
Moisture
Dry Moist Wet
Hardiness zones
Find your zone:
Pollinators & wildlife
- Bees Western Honey Bee
- Butterflies Red Admiral
Butterflies that use this plant
Documented host and nectar records. Each links to a planting guide for that butterfly.
- Red admiralnectar
Full plant details
Where it grows
- Habitat
- WoodlandThe wild plant community it grows in.
- Native range
- The Southeast, the Midwest, and the Northeast and southern CanadaUnited States (19): AL, AR, DC, DE, GA, IL, KY, MD, MI, MO, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, SC, TN, VA, WV. Canada (1): ON. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
- Native distribution
- Southern Ontario to Delaware and Georgia, west to Kentucky, Arkansas and LouisianaThe same native range, usually more exact than the state list, and often noting where it has spread beyond it.
Growing conditions
- Light
- Part shade to shadeHow much sun it takes, from full sun to full shade.
- Moisture
- Dry to moistThe soil dampness it prefers, from dry to wet.
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 5–8 · Canadian 6–7The cold-to-heat climate range it survives.
- Soil
- Well-drained, rich, rocky, acid soil. Tolerates limeThe soils it grows in naturally.
- Soil texture
- Light to heavy (sandy to clay)The soil grade it prefers, from sand to clay.
- Soil pH
- Acid to neutralThe acidity to alkalinity it tolerates (7 is neutral).
- Water use
- Low to mediumHow thirsty it is, a rough guide to how often to water.
Growth & form
- Height
- up to 4 ft (to 1.2 m)Typical mature height.
- Spread
- ~2 ft (0.6 m)How wide one plant gets, a guide to spacing.
- Life cycle
- PerennialWhether it lives a single season (annual), two (biennial), or returns for years (perennial).
- Growth rate
- ModerateA relative ranking versus other plants of the same type (USDA), not an absolute rate.
Flowers, foliage & fruit
- Type
- WildflowerWhat kind of plant it is.
- Bloom
- Apr–JunWhen it flowers.
- Flower color
- White, PinkThe bloom color, or colors.
- Toxicity
- None knownWhether any part is poisonous to people or pets.