American Alumroot

Description:

Lobed semi-palmate green, purple, or brown leaves are often veined or marbled. Loose racemes of insignificant green to cream flowers are born on 3' stalks in early summer. Leaves and general shape of the plant are very similar to foam flower (Tiarella cordifolia). A great way to tell them apart is by the flowers - foamflowers tend to have a more spectacular array, while alumroot is barely noticable for the inflorescence.

Habitat:

Native to Eastern US.

Notes:

Spotted along the road in Great Smokey Mountains National Park (there was a stream on the opposite side of the road).