Nerve Root is an endangered plant
Nerve Root, Cypripedium calceolus pubescens (maybe labeled C. parviflorum pubescens or C. pubescens), is another plant sometimes called American valerian, but as it’s an orchid, it is no relation to either the garden valerian or the other American valerian, Valeriana sitchensis. It has a large number of other names by which it is sometimes known: Greater yellow lady’s slipper, Large yellow lady’s slipper, Moccasin Flower, Noah’s ark, Whippoorwills-shoe, Yellow ladies’-slipper, Yellow moccasin-flower, Yellow Indian Shoe, bleeding heart, Venus shoe, yellows and I guess it’s possible there are more…
Nerve root is a hardy perennial which reaches a height of around 2 feet (60cm). It’s not fussy as to soil so long as it’s moist; you can even grow it in very alkaline soil if that’s all you’ve got. It will not grow in full shade. This plant is endangered. Do not collect from the wild, but buy cultivated plants from a reputable source.
Nerve root is slow growing, but once established, it can be divided in the Spring to produce more plants.
Some people may suffer from dermatitis if they come in contact with the plant while it is fresh. If using for herbal medicine, do not take in large amounts, as this can cause hallucinations.
The part used for herbal medicine is the root (a rhizome). This has similar effects to valerian and American valerian but weaker, and given the fact that this plant is so slow growing, it may be better to use one of the other plants which can be used for the same purposes, and keep this as a desirable ornamental.
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