Lachnanthes caroliniana
Illustration courtesy of University of Florida/IFAS Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants. Used with permission.
What is Carolina Redroot?
Physical Characteristics
Leaves:
- Flattened
- Sword-shaped
- Thick near base, thin near tips
- Upright
- Growing directly rhizome
Flowers:
- Grow in the spring and summer
- Tall
- Branching clusters
- Located above the leaves
- Small
- Look woolly
- 6 petals
- Inner petals yellowish & woolly
- Outer petals whitish
Flower Stalk:
- Fleshy
- Hairy
Stem:
- Red-orange rhizome
Roots:
- Red-orange in color
Where Does it Grow?
USDA, NRCS. 2018. The PLANTS Database (http://plants.usda.gov). National Plant Data Team, Greensboro, NC 27401-4901 USA.
Carolina redroot can be found along sandy shores, in ditches, swamps, and lakes.
Pros and Cons of Carolina Redroot
Submerged portions of all aquatic plants provide habitats for many micro and macro invertebrates. These invertebrates in turn are used as food by fish and other wildlife species (e.g. amphibians, reptiles, ducks, etc.). After aquatic plants die, their decomposition by bacteria and fungi provides food (called “detritus”) for many aquatic invertebrates.