Rod Angeroth, Owner
P.O. Box 877
Stanton, NE 68779 402-439-5256 Email
Loess Roots was founded in 1974 in the forested Loess hills area of western Iowa near Council Bluffs. This small
company has endeavored to create a natural forested habitat and refuge for the establishment and propagation of
forest-grown medicinal botanicals.
All plants listed below are perennials and are native to the eastern and central hardwood forests of North America.
These plants are non-invasive, and have value in both commercial/medicinal aspects and in their own beauty. Some
of these plants are considered threatened and endangered due to unethical harvesting practices and loss of natural
habitat.
These plants have been cultivated using organic methods in a natural hardwood forest setting. Full or partial shade (artificial or natural) is needed for the plants to thrive. These plants are sensitive to direct sunlight and prolonged exposure to direct sunlight may kill the plants.
The soil conditions should be slightly acidic with good organic matter present. Moisture content of the soil should
be moist, but not saturated or soggy. These plants will not tolerate “wet” feet, so do not plant in wetland type areas
or areas that are prone to flooding. Mulching is recommended to help maintain moisture in the soil, to reduce weed
pressure, and to help prevent roots from being lifted out of the ground due to freeze-thaw conditions. Use an
organic mulch consisting of shredded leaves, straw, or wood chips, to a depth of between 2 and 4 inches.
All plants listed below will be shipped bareroot in a dormant state during the fall.
If transplanting is to be delayed, keep the roots cool by placing in a cool environment {refrigerator or burying them
temporarily in the soil taking care to not let the root systems) dry out.
If roots are not to your satisfaction at the time of receiving them, please contact me to work out a refund or
replacement of the plants.
Plant Listing
GOLDENSEAL Hydrastis canadensis
Rhizome is a
bright yellow color, and generally has several growing
buds which can be divided to produce as many plants
as there are buds on the rhizome. Plants can attain
heights of 15 – 20”. Plants will naturally increase in
number over time. Red raspberry-like fruit ripens in
July. Space plants 6 – 8 inches apart. Place growing
buds) 1 inch below the ground surface. Often used
as a companion plant with ginseng. There is a large
demand for this plant in the pharmaceutical trade.
Native Americans used the root to create a yellow
dye. Goldenseal is now listed on the CITES list as
being endangered in the United States.
BLOODROOT Sanguinaria canadensis
One of the
first wildflowers to bloom in the spring, with single
white flowers. The plant grows 6-14 inches high, and
the root exhibits a bright red juice when cut or broken.
The plant is extremely cold-hardy. Will form clumps
which can readily be divided. Space plants 8 – 12
inches apart, and place root ½ inch below the ground
surface. Leaves and roots are considered toxic, but
the root has a history of being used in folk medicines
for treatment of skin cancers and for creating red
dyes. It has recently been used in some brands of
toothpaste as a plaque retarding agent.
BLACK COHOSH Cimicifuga racemosa & Actaea
racemosa
Mature plants can achieve heights of up
to 5-7-feet. Flower is a showy white spike. Space
plants at 3 feet, and cover roots with 1 inch of soil.
Can be propagated by division of the roots, or by
planting of seed. Commonly used for treating
menstrual cramps, and for reducing undesirable
effects of menopause.
WILD GINGER Asarum canadense
A bedding-type
plant that will colonize an area and attain heights of 8
– 12 inches. Space plants at 8 – 12 inches apart, and
place roots horizontal with ½ inch of soil over the top.
Plants may need to be watered during times of
drought. Propagation is by division of the roots.
Pioneers used the roots and rhizomes as substitutes
for Jamaican ginger.
JACK-IN-THE-PULPIT Arisaema triphyllum
Grows
up to 24” tall. Showy flowers produce bright red
clusters of berries in the fall. Space bulbs 12 inches
apart, and place 1 inch below the soil surface.
Propagation is by seed, or by new bulbs formed
around the parent plant. Bulbs contain calcium
oxalate that is irritating to the mucous membranes.
Native Americans used the bulbs as a food source by
boiling them first.
MAYAPPLE Podophyllum peltatum
Colonizing
plant that will grow up to 18-inches tall with umbrellalike
leaves and solitary saucer-shaped white flowers.
Fruit is 1 - 2” in diameter and is edible when fully ripe.
Otherwise, all parts of the plant are considered toxic
to humans. Space plants 8 – 12 inches apart, with
the root below the soil surface 1”. Plant will grows
well in partial or full shade. Research has shown
potential of using the root as a cancer-fighting agent.
VIRGINIA SNAKEROOT Aristolochia serpentaria
Native pipevine. Mature plants will attain heights of
15 - to 18”. Plant is becoming rare and is listed as
endangered in several states. Space plants at 6 – 8
inches, with the growth bud at ½ to 1 inch below the
ground surface. Propagation is by division of roots or
planting of seed. This native is a preferred host plant
for the Pipevine Swallowtail butterfly.
Mature plants freshly harvested) of goldenseal,
black cohosh, bloodroot, Virginia snakeroot, and
mayapple are also available for creating medicinal
tinctures, salves, drying, etc. Contact Loess Roots
for details.
Photo Credits: Black Cohosh from the HempCenter; Bloodroot, Goldenseal, Jack-in-the-Pulpit taken by Ingrid Naiman; Mayapple and Virginia snakeroot by Rod Angeroth; Wild Ginger from Buzzle.com.
