Species at Risk – Wild Medicinal Plants

For the benefit of the plant communities, wild animals, harvesters, farmers, consumers, manufacturers, retailers and practitioners, United Plant Savers offer this list of wild medicinal plants which they feel are currently most sensitive to the impact of human activities. Their intent is to assure the increasing abundance of the medicinal plants that are currently in decline due to expanding popularity and shrinking habitat and range. UpS is not asking for a moratorium on the use of these herbs. Rather, they are initiating programs designed to preserve these important wild medicinal plants.

Thanks to United Plant Savers for allowing us to reproduce their list and for the use of their photos.

“At-Risk” List  American Ginseng – Panax quinquefolius Bloodroot – Sanguinaria canadensis Black Cohosh – Actaea racemosa L. Blue Cohosh – Caulophyllum thalictroides Echinacea – Echinacea spp.Eyebright – Euphrasia spp. False Unicorn Root – Chamaelirium luteum Goldenseal – Hydrastis canadensis Lady’s Slipper Orchid – Cypripedium spp. Lomatium – Lomatium dissectumOsha – Ligusticum porteri, L. spp. Peyote – Lophophora williamsii Sandalwood – Santalum spp. (Hawaii only) Slippery Elm – Ulmus rubra Sundew – Drosera spp. Trillium, Beth Root -Trillium spp. True Unicorn – Aletris farinosa Venus’ Fly Trap – Dionaea muscipula Virginina Snakeroot – Aristolochia serpentaria Wild Yam – Dioscorea villosa, D. spp.  Goldenseal photo Copyright © United Plant Savers

“To-Watch” List Arnica – Arnica spp. Butterfly Weed – Asclepias tuberosa Cascara Sagrada – Frangula purshiana (Rhamnus) Chaparro – Casatela emoryi Elephant Tree – Bursera microphylla Gentian – Gentiana spp. Goldthread – Coptis spp. Kava Kava – Piper methysticum (Hawaii only) Lobelia – Lobelia spp. Maidenhair Fern – Adiantum pendatum Mayapple – Podophyllum peltatum Oregon Grape – Mahonia spp. Partridge Berry – Mitchella repens Pink Root – Spigelia marilandica Pipsissewa – Chimaphila umbellata Spikenard – Aralia racemosa, A. californica Stone Root – Collinsonia canadensis Stream Orchid – Epipactis gigantea Turkey Corn – Dicentra canadensis White Sage – Salvia apiana Wild Indigo – Baptisia tinctoria Yerba Mansa – Anemopsis californica

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All material and photos on this page Copyright © United Plant Savers