Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in the northeastern region of Washington; adjacent British Columbia to Idaho and Montana.
Habitat: Moist woods.
Flowers: April-May
Origin: Native
Growth Duration: Perennial
Conservation Status: Review Group 1 in Washington (WANHP)
Low, scapose perennials from slender, yellowish rhizomes, the scapes 10-20 cm. tall, about equaling the leaves.
Leaves all basal, long-petiolate, leathery, evergreen, the blades trifoliate, the leaflets broadly ovate, 3-6 cm. long, tri-lobed about half their length and secondarily lobed, with fine, sharp teeth.
Scapes 2- to 5-flowered; sepals 5-8, whitish, petal-like, deciduous, linear-lanceolate, 6-10 mm. long; petals 5-7, clawed, narrowly lanceolate above the broadened, gland-bearing base; stamens 15-25; pistils 5-10.
Follicles 8-12 mm. long, on a stipe.
Publication: Fl. N. Amer. 1:28. 1838.
PNW Herbaria: Specimen records of Coptis occidentalis in the Consortium of Pacific Northwest Herbaria database.
WA Flora Checklist: Coptis occidentalis checklist entry.
OregonFlora: Coptis occidentalis information.
E-Flora BC: Coptis occidentalis atlas page.
CalPhotos: Coptis occidentalis photos.
USDA Plants: Coptis occidentalis information.
