A common perennial, Black
Root’s generic name means “winged stem.” The winged stems are
covered with soft white hairs as are the clasping leaves. The
species name refers to the thick flower spike. It gets its common
name from its thick, black, tuberous root. The other name,
Rabbit Tobacco, comes from its use as a tobacco substitute.
In folk medicine, the boiled root was used to make “tea” to relieve
backache, and combined with Aralia it is said to have helped treat
colds, asthma and ladies’ problems.
Flowers/Fruit:
The tiny tubular flowers form terminal flower heads. The droopy clusters are creamy white and turn woolly as they mature.
The very small seeds are reddish brown and hairy.
