Page authors: Don Knoke, David Giblin
Coptis occidentalis
Idaho goldthread, western goldthread
Specimens
Photos

Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in the northeastern region of Washington; adjacent British Columbia to Idaho and Montana.

Habitat: Moist woods.

Flowers: April-May

Origin: Native

Growth Duration: Perennial

Conservation Status: Review Group 1 in Washington (WANHP)

Description:
General:

Low, scapose perennials from slender, yellowish rhizomes, the scapes 10-20 cm. tall, about equaling the leaves.

Leaves:

Leaves all basal, long-petiolate, leathery, evergreen, the blades trifoliate, the leaflets broadly ovate, 3-6 cm. long, tri-lobed about half their length and secondarily lobed, with fine, sharp teeth.

Flowers:

Scapes 2- to 5-flowered; sepals 5-8, whitish, petal-like, deciduous, linear-lanceolate, 6-10 mm. long; petals 5-7, clawed, narrowly lanceolate above the broadened, gland-bearing base; stamens 15-25; pistils 5-10.

Fruits:

Follicles 8-12 mm. long, on a stipe.

Accepted Name:
Coptis occidentalis (Nutt.) Torr. & A. Gray
Publication: Fl. N. Amer. 1:28. 1838.

Synonyms & Misapplications:
Chrysocoptis occidentalis Nutt.
Additional Resources:

PNW Herbaria: Specimen records of Coptis occidentalis in the Consortium of Pacific Northwest Herbaria database

WA Flora Checklist: Coptis occidentalis checklist entry

OregonFlora: Coptis occidentalis information

E-Flora BC: Coptis occidentalis atlas page

CalPhotos: Coptis occidentalis photos

30 photographs:
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