Photographer: Dorothy S. Long

This native of North America is a woodland plant with bright lemon-yellow 2"-wide flowers that bloom through spring and into summer. The flowers grow in clusters surrounded by attractive, deeply-lobed, blue-green leaves. The plant, ranges from 12 to 18 inches high and grows well on slopes and banks with deep leafmold. A member of the poppy family, it thrives in shade and prefers a humous-rich soil and even moisture. They self-sow and naturalize readily.

When crushed it releases yellow sap. Native Americans used the plant as a source of dye, while Europeans used it as a laxative.

Bloom time: May through June