Protection and Crop Development of the North American Medicinal Plant Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis)

摘要

Studies of the medicinal herb, Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis), are reviewed with regard to the targets of the global strategy for plant conservation including establishing conservation status, protecting socio-economic genetic diversity, monitoring international trade, and ensuring sustainable harvest. The review is organized under four headings: Regional Studies, Status, Ecology, Crop Development, Trade, and Future Research Needs. The plant has been studied in only small parts of its area of occurrence. It is designated as threatened in Canada and at risk over much of the US range where national populations are harvested for use as medicine. Most of the ecological information available is from studies at the northern range limit in Canada. Agriculture is playing an increasingly important role in the goldenseal market. Goldenseal is regulated by CITES and its international trade is monitored. Although research on Goldenseal contributes to meeting the international targets of the global strategy for plant conservation, they will not be completely met until a more comprehensive and consistent protection strategy is in place along with the information and procedures needed to ensure sustainable management.