Showy, golden-yellow, daisy-like flowers bloom in late spring on stems 18-24 inches tall add bright color to darker spots in the landscape. Heart-shaped basal leaves persist through mild winters, and the roots spread horizontally to form a groundcover over time. Found in meadows; moist, shady savannas; swamps; ravines; and woodlands in full sun to full shade and moist to wet soils. Use in borders, in butterfly and rain gardens, or as a groundcover in shady, wet areas  
 
Plant Characteristics:
Grows 18-24" tall
 
Grows in full sun to full shade
 
Prefers rich, moist, acidic soils but also found in drier areas; tolerates seasonal flooding
 
Blooms May-June for several weeks
 
Basal leaves are green above, purplish below; stem leaves are lobed
 
Wildlife Value:
Hosts 3 species of Lepidoptera larvae, including one specialist moth. Nectar and pollen attract many species of small bees and other pollinators. Birds eat the seeds. Deer resistant--mammalian herbivores avoid the toxic leaves.
 
Medicinal, Edible, and Other Uses:
Native Americans used the roots and leaves to make a tea to treat delayed and irregular menses, childbirth complications, lung ailments, dysentery, and difficult urination.
 
Caution: leaves have low toxicity and should not be used to make a tea.
 
Resources:
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center: https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=paau3
 
North Carolina Extension: https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/packera-aurea/
 
Full profile soon!