About Gillenia trifoliata (L.) Moench
Gillenia trifoliata, with the common names Bowman's root and Indian physic, is a species of flowering plant in the Rosaceae family. It is native to eastern North America, ranging from Ontario to Georgia. This is an erect herbaceous perennial that grows 100 cm (39 inches) tall and 60 cm (24 inches) wide. It produces three-lobed palmate leaves, and pale pink flowers that have narrow petals and reddish calyces. These flowers grow above red-colored stems, blooming during spring and summer. Its natural habitat consists of dry to moist upland woods and rocky banks. When grown in cultivation, this plant has been awarded the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. It is very hardy, tolerating temperatures down to −20 °C (−4 °F) or lower, but needs a sheltered position in partial shade, growing in acid or neutral soil. Native Americans dried and powdered the root of this plant to use it both as a laxative and an emetic.
