Xanthorhiza simplicissima; a deciduous shrub with pinnate foliage that slowly colours into early winter. Surprisingly, a member of the Buttercup family, Ranunculaceae. Native to Eastern North America where it prefers damp woodland with soil that allows the suckering rootstock to increase.
This has a suckering habit and will rapidly move through the soil forming a woody shrubbery growing to 1.3m in height. At this time of year the foliage darkens through red to deep purple, almost black. Text and photos by Tony Garn.
Xanthorhiza simplicissima
Xanthorhiza simplicissima