Spigelia marilandica

Spigelia marilandica, the Indian pink[1][2] or woodland pinkroot,[3] is a herbacious perennial wildflower in the Loganiaceae family[1] native to inland areas of the Southeastern and Midwestern United States.[2]

Woodland pinkroot
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Asterids
Order:	Gentianales
Family:	Loganiaceae
Genus:	Spigelia
Species:	S. marilandica
Binomial name
Spigelia marilandica (L.) L.
US distribution by state of Spigelia marilandica

It flowers in late spring and early summer[2] and tends to be found in low moist woods, ravines, or stream banks in partial or full shade.[1] The flowers are red, erect, tubes with a star-shaped yellow center at the tip.[4] It will grow 30–61 cm (1–2 ft) high with a spread of 15–46 cm (0.5–1.5 ft).[1]

Indian pink

It is used as an ornamental plant,[5] more popular in the UK and Europe than its native U.S.[4]

Its dried roots are used as an anthelmintic (dewormer), and are followed by a saline aperient to avoid unpleasant side effects and ensure that the toxic root is expelled along with the worms.[6] The roots are also a narcotic hallucinogen, but the alkaloid spigiline, which is largely responsible for both its hallucinogenic and medicinal action, can cause increased heart action, vertigo, convulsions and death if overdosed.[6]