American Ipecac (Porteranthus stipulatus)

A.k.a. Western Indian physic. A distinctive, generally adaptable plant with gracile stems and flowers. N does not runner and reseeds sparingly, may need staking in sparse plantings. Fall colors and seed pods are often showy. So named because ingestion causes vomiting. This makes it well resistant to mammalian herbivores, but perhaps not ideal for gardens frequented by dogs.

Light: Full Sun, Part Sun/Shade

Soil Moisture: Wet Mesic, Mesic, Dry Mesic

Soil Type: Loam, Clay Loam, Rocky Loam

Height: 1.5’-3’

Bloom Color: White

Bloom Time: May-June

Root Type: Rhizome

Notable Wildlife Interactions: Flowers may attract bees, flies, butterflies, and skippers, but do not do so in large numbers. Foliage is toxic and avoided by mammals.

Notes: Gillenia stipulatus is a common scientific synonym.