The plant is also native to Japan and east Asia. It is interesting to think of someone on the other side of the earth, in the foothills of the Himalayas or in the mountains of Japan, observing the same species. How did it make its home is such disparate locations?

Medical Uses: Native Americans (Chippewa) used the root for sore throat by chewing it or gargling a decoction. A tea was use by the Ojibwa as an analgesic for rheumatism. In eastern Asia the root is poulticed for various skin sores and ulcers. Some sources mention the plant being insecticidal. Information is scant and I can find no actual science on these uses. ^{(Densmore)(Foster & Duke)}

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One of the best general guides to wildflowers of the North Eastern and North Central United States. Newcomb's key is an excellent, simple method for identifying plants. Newcomb has drawings for almost every plant mentioned that are excellent aids to identifying the species. Though only the more common plants are covered this is often the first book I pick up when trying to identify a wildflower.

Wildflo wers of Tennessee the Ohio Valley and the Southern Appalachians

This is perhaps the best of many field guides covering this region. Featuring 446 excellent color photographs (located with the text) and mentioning as similar to those illustrated are another 800 or so species for a total coverage of over 1,200 species. The start of each family section includes line drawings of some of the species showing important features. The text includes the usual description, bloom season, range, habitat and additionally includes information such as medical uses and lore and how the species was named. This is the official field guide of the Tennessee Native Plant Society.