Yellowroot is a fairly common small subshrub, only a foot or two tall and with one usually unbranched stem, that grows in thickets along shady streamsides. It is least common in the Coastal Plain, most abundant in the Mountains. Unmistakable -- this is the only species in the genus.

Though almost always found along streamsides, this particular patch was growing near the top of the ridge at Whiteside Mountain.

Jackson Co., NC 5/14/06.

Jackson Co., NC 5/14/06.