Abstract
Goldenseal (
Hydrastis canadensis L.) is an herbaceous species found throughout the central hardwood forest ecosystem that is harvested from the wild for the medicinal herb trade. A total of 147 goldenseal populations were classified according to the Ecological Classification Guide developed for the Hoosier National Forest, and change in population size was calculated where data from 1998 was available. The majority of the populations were located on beech-sugar maple/Jack-in-the-Pulpit (
Fagus L.-Acer saccharum Marsh./
Arisaema Mart.) mesic slope, a common site in the Hoosier National Forest. The remeasured populations were an average of 40 percent larger, an unexpectedly large increase in a species noted for slow growth. Illegal harvesting of goldenseal may still be occurring on certain areas. Sustained population studies of this species are needed to better understand its biology and status in the wild.
Parent Publication
Citation
Meyer, S. P.; Parker, G. R. 2003. The population dynamics of goldenseal by habitat type on the Hoosier National Forest. In: Van Sambeek, J. W.; Dawson, Jeffery O.; Ponder Jr., Felix; Loewenstein, Edward F.; Fralish, James S., eds. Proceedings of the 13th Central Hardwood Forest Conference; Gen. Tech. Rep. NC-234. St. Paul, MN: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, North Central Research Station: 281
