Ecological characteristics, harvesting impacts, and restoration potential of goldthread (Coptis trifolia (L.) Salisb.), a medicinal plant (New York)

Coptis trifolia, goldthread, is an important medicinal plant for indigenous people of northeastern United States. Goldthread has recently gained attention from the broader herbal medicine community to replace the overexploited medicinal plant, Hydrastis canadensis. To protect goldthread from similar overexploitation, this study examined ecological characteristics of goldthread habitat in the Adirondack region of New York State, impacts of harvesting on goldthread populations, and restoration potential of goldthread. Goldthread was shown to prefer coniferous forests with moist, acidic soil and abundant canopy cover. Common associates included T suga canadensis, Oxalis acetosella, and Maianthemum canadense . A strong positive relationship was found between belowground biomass and leaf area. Regrowth was slow after harvesting. Goldthread did not respond favorably to transplantation, but long-term monitoring would provide more conclusive data. Additional research is needed on ecological requirements throughout goldthread's geographical range, impacts of various harvesting methods, and restoration potential using longer monitoring and larger scale experiments.