- Source: Spigelia marilandica
Spigelia marilandica, the woodland pinkroot or Indian pink is a herbacious perennial wildflower in the Loganiaceae family native to inland areas of the Southeastern and Midwestern United States.
It flowers in late spring and early summer and tends to be found in low moist woods, ravines, or stream banks in partial or full shade. The flowers are red, erect, tubes with a star-shaped yellow center at the tip. It will grow 30–61 cm (1–2 ft) high with a spread of 15–46 cm (0.5–1.5 ft).
It is used as an ornamental plant, more popular in the UK and Europe than its native U.S.
Its dried roots are used as an anthelmintic (dewormer), and are followed by a saline aperient to avoid unpleasant side effects and ensure that the toxic root is expelled along with the worms. The roots are also a narcotic hallucinogen, but the alkaloid spigiline, which is largely responsible for both its hallucinogenic and medicinal action, can cause increased heart action, vertigo, convulsions and death if overdosed.
References
External links
Spigelia marilandica at Missouri Plants website with extensive photos
