Flower profile
Spleenwortleaf goldthread
Coptis aspleniifolia
Spleenwortleaf goldthread is a wildflower that USDA PLANTS lists as native in the lower 48 states. In Alaska it's most often seen in bloom in April–June.
*iNaturalist research-grade observations, as of October 17, 2026.
On our lists for: Alaska
Quick look
Coptis aspleniifolia, commonly known as fernleaf goldthread or spleenwort-leaf goldthread, is found in the northern two-thirds of British Columbia, in Alaska, and along the Cascades into Washington and is a native plant of the temperate rain forests of the region. It is often found in the understory of the herb layer of coniferous forests as part of a multilayered canopy system on gleysolic or organic soils.
- It belongs to the Ranunculaceae family. iNaturalist
- USDA PLANTS describes it as an herb (forb) with a perennial life cycle. USDA PLANTS
- USDA PLANTS lists it as native in the lower 48 states and records it in 2 states. USDA PLANTS
- NatureServe lists it as native to Alaska. NatureServe
- In Alaska, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in April–June. iNaturalist
- iNaturalist has 503 research-grade sightings of it in Alaska, ranking #85 among the 108 flowers on our Alaska list. iNaturalist
Spleenwortleaf goldthread gift ideas
Handmade spleenwortleaf goldthread gifts from independent makers.
🌱 Sample spot. Handmade gift picks from independent shops will appear here once our shop partnership is approved. These cards are placeholders, not real products.
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Spleenwortleaf goldthread art print
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Spleenwortleaf goldthread greeting card
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Spleenwortleaf goldthread mug
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Spleenwortleaf goldthread earrings
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Spleenwortleaf goldthread embroidery pattern
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Spleenwortleaf goldthread sticker
When does it bloom?
In Alaska, most flowering sightings come in April–June.
Conservation status
- Federal (U.S. ESA)
- Not listed No U.S. Endangered Species Act listing in the USFWS ECOS database. USFWS ECOS
- NatureServe global
- G5 Secure worldwide. NatureServe
- Alaska
- No list Alaska has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants, so we show NatureServe's Alaska ranks instead. NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Alaska.
- Rare elsewhere
- Other states where NatureServe ranks it rare or missing: WA (S2). (S1 critically imperiled, S2 imperiled, SH possibly extirpated, SX presumed extirpated.)
Checked October 17, 2026. Rankings and lists can change, so follow the links for the latest.
Can you eat it?
None of the sources we checked (NC State Extension (no page for this plant), USDA PLANTS) say whether it's edible or poisonous for people.
It isn't on the ASPCA plant list.
🌿 Never eat a wild plant unless you're certain of its ID; this isn't medical advice. Worried about a person? Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Worried about a pet? Call your vet.
Where does it grow?
USDA PLANTS records spleenwortleaf goldthread in 2 states.
recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded
See the full list of states
Alaska, Washington.
Alaska counties with USDA records: Chugach, Copper River, Haines, Juneau, Kenai Peninsula, Ketchikan Gateway, Sitka, Yakutat.
More Alaska flowers
Sources
- USDA, NRCS. PLANTS Database, profile COAS.
- iNaturalist, Coptis aspleniifolia: taxonomy, research-grade observation counts and “Flowering” annotations, retrieved October 17, 2026.
- Wikipedia, Coptis aspleniifolia (lead quoted under CC BY-SA 4.0).
- Alaska: Alaska prohibited and restricted noxious weeds (11 AAC 34.020).
- USFWS, ECOS species database (ESA listing check), October 17, 2026.
- NatureServe Explorer, Coptis aspleniifolia (global and state ranks).
- Edibility and toxicity: no source found (marked "not well documented").
- Photo: Laura Holloway via iNaturalist · CC0 · resized.