Red Root

Ceanothus americanus, sometimes referred to as Red Root, New Jersey Tea, Mountain Lilac, or Buckbrush, is an herbaceous shrub in the Buckthorn family, Rhamnaceae, and grows mostly in the north eastern part of the United States.  It gets the nickname of “Red Root” because of its large, contorted, reddish-brown root covered by a thin bark. These roots can sometimes form massive, tough, plow-breaking underground systems. The plant reaches about 3 feet in height, has clusters of tiny white or pale pinkish flowers that grow at the tips of its branches, and sometimes have a wintergreen scent. Ceanothus is deciduous and has nitrogen-fixing fungi on its roots.