Bowman’s Root

Ecology & Conservation

Proximity Score

2

Native Status

❌ Outaouais ❌ Ottawa ❌ QC ❌ ON

Closest Direction

SE

CEC Eco-Regions

8 – Eastern Temperate Forests, 8.1 – Mixed Wood Plains, 8.1.7 – Northeastern Coastal Zone

Rarity Notes

Extirpated from Ontario (SX), the only Canadian jurisdiction where it was native. Global rank G4 (Apparently Secure), but nationally ranked NX in Canada. VASCAN lists Ontario occurrence status as extirpated. Not listed under SARA. Range is primarily Appalachian, extending from New York and Ontario south to Georgia and Missouri.

S22S1S26

Rarity Ranks

ON SX – Extirpated

Migration

Stable

Ecological Context

Inhabits dry to moist upland woods and rocky banks, mostly in mountainous terrain of the Appalachian region. Found in rich woods on rocky acidic substrates, often at forest edges and in open oak woodlands. In Michigan, documented at the border of a clearing in a thin oak forest associated with Gaylussacia baccata and Ceanothus americanus. Habitat includes forest edges and forests.

S4S7S61

Permaculture & Companion Planting

Roles

Fortress/Barrier

S73/S29/S72 Evidence: Fortress/Barrier: S61 keyword match: thorns? (supporting signal only)]

Medicinal Properties

ℹ

Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any plant for medicinal purposes. The information provided is compiled from secondary sources for educational purposes only.

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Category

Cathartic, Diaphoretic, Emetic, Expectorant, Odontalgic, Tonic

S29

Notes

The dried powdered root bark was used by Native Americans as a laxative, emetic, and general tonic. Minute doses taken internally for colds, chronic diarrhoea, constipation, asthma, and bronchial complaints. Roots used externally for rheumatism. A cold infusion of roots used to treat bee stings. The common names Indian Physic and Bowman's Root reference this traditional medicinal use. Native Americans used this plant as a medicinal herb to treat a variety of ailments.

S29S4S61

Edibility & Foraging

ℹ

Never ingest a plant unless you have 100% certainty of its identity and have consulted multiple reputable sources. The information provided in the Localeaf Plant Database is compiled from secondary sources for educational and historical purposes only.

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❌ Not Edible   

Foraging Notes

Not considered edible. PFAF rates edibility 0 of 5 with no known edible uses. The root bark has been used medicinally as an emetic and cathartic, but these properties make it unsuitable for consumption as food.

S29

Toxicity

⚠️ Moderate Toxicity

No known hazards. PFAF lists known hazards as none. Not listed in Cornell poisonous plants database. However, the root bark is a strong emetic and cathartic in larger doses, so ingestion of root material could cause gastrointestinal distress.

S29S38

Seed Source

• Localeaf