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Bowman's Root
  Photos © Kim Hosen; Merrimac Farm Wildlife Managemen Area, Nokesvile VA; May 2015  

Bowman's Root
Porteranthus trifoliatus
Rose family, Rosaceae

Indian physic or Bowman's root is an upright, clump-forming, somewhat bushy perennial which typically grows 2-3' (less frequently to 4') tall.

A native plant to the eastern and southern United States. Bowman's Root features masses of slender, 5 petaled, star-like, white flowers (1" across) held in loose corymbs on wiry, branching, distinctively red stems in late spring to early summer. Attractive red calyces persist after petal drop.

Trifoliate, almost stalkless leaves feature oblong, serrated, olive-green leaflets (1.5-4") which turn red in fall. Sold both as Gillenia trifoliata and Porteranthus trifoliatus.