goldthread, Coptis trifolia

Yesterday was a Michigan Botany Club outing to one of the southernmost black spruce forests in this region. Not a flower in sight. But it was very interesting, and will be a great place to return to in more hospitable seasons. One plant we saw was goldthread. In these climes, black spruce likes acidic swamps, and so does goldthread. This plant gets its name from its thin gold underground stems, a couple of which are sticking up in the left background. Goldthread was used in herbal medicine, partly because it's evergreen leaves are easy to find in winter. Goldthread grows in AK, CT, IN, MA, MD(E), ME, MI, MN, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OR, PA, RI, VA, VT, WA(S), WI, WV, across Canada except for NT and YT, On GL and SPM, and in eastern Eurasia. Waterloo Recreation Area, Washtenaw Co MI, 4/5/12.