The Goldthread (Coptis trifolia) belongs to Ranunculaceae (the Buttercup family). It is an evergreen perennial herb that is distributed northward from Chubu district of Honshu to Hokkaido of Japan, as well as Russian Far East and North America. This herb grows in subalpine to alpine coniferous forests and it can reach 5-15 cm in height. The leaves are basal and trifoliate with long petioles. The small white flowers come on the stalks from June to July. They have 5 petaline sepals.