When planted in appropriate conditions, American alumroot is a hardy, reliable perennial that works well in beds, borders, native gardens, pollinator gardens, cottage gardens, rock gardens, or as ground cover. American alumroot has small greenish-white flowers from late spring to early summer that float above light green, occasionally variegated, foliage. This species is native to the Chicago region according to Swink and Wilhelm’s Plants of the Chicago Region and current research.
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Size and Method of Spreading
American alumroot is often around 1 to one-and-a-half feet wide and 1 foot tall, but the tall stems of flowers can reach 2 to 3 feet. The plant may be propagated through division or seed.
Native Geographic Location and Habitat
American alumroot is native to the Eastern United States. C-value: 10.
Pollinators and Wildlife
Hummingbirds, butterflies, and small bees are attracted to American alumroot flowers, including the specialist pollinator plasterer bee species Colletes aestivalis. The foliage may attract some flea beetles and aphids.
Leaf Description
The leaves of American alumroot are medium green colored, but cultivars are available with variegation. Leaves grow around the base of the plant (basal leaves) and are attached by long, slender stalks (petioles) that are the length of the leaves or longer. The upper surfaces of the leaves and the petioles are often covered in short hairs, but the petioles can be hairless (glabrous). In warmer climates, the foliage of American alumroot is evergreen, but the amount of evergreen foliage is temperature dependent in colder climates. The shape of the leaves is round with a slightly heart-shaped base (cordate), with seven to nine shallow lobes that have slight serration to the edges (dentate margins).
Flower Description
American alumroot flowers are bell-shaped and grow in groups of branching stalks, with four to five flowers per group (panicle). These branching stalks originate on a long leafless center stem (scape) that rises above the foliage. The scape, branching stalks, and pedicels are covered in short hairs. Each flower has five petals that are often green or creamy white in color, are surrounded by five green appendages (sepals), and have long stringlike protrusions (stamens and style). The stamens will be tipped with orange (anthers). The petals, sepals, and stamens are fused together at their base, forming a cup (hypanthium) around the female reproductive organs (pistils).
Fruit Description
The fruits of American alumroot are small and dry with a seam where they split to release seeds (capsules). The tips of these capsules have two long, narrow beaks that protrude from them.
Care Knowledge
Plant Care
American alumroot prefers medium moisture, which is important in preventing general foliage decline and potential leaf scorch that can occur in too dry conditions. Clumps should be divided every three to four years. Deadheading spent American alumroot blooms can help to encourage additional blooming. For the best foliage coloration, it is recommended to grow American alumroot in sunny areas with partial shade in the afternoons. They also benefit from a wintertime mulch that can protect them from being pushed out of the ground by cycles of freezing and thawing.
Pests, Diseases, and Tolerances
American alumroot is not susceptible to major pest or disease issues. The unpalatable foliage makes these plants resistant to mammalian herbivores.
