Colicroot Aletris aurea
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Wurmbea bullata
- Phonetic Spelling
- AY-le-triss ARE-ree-uh
- Description
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Golden Colicroot is a native herbaceous perennial of the Nartheciaceae found in pine savannas, seepage bogs, and pine flatwoods in the coastal plains and sandhills of North Carolina, although it is uncommon. Its native range is Virginia, south to Florida, and west to Texas. The plant is difficult to maintain in cultivation and is rarely offered for sale; the NC Native Plant Society does not recommend this plant for home gardens.
Golden Colicroot prefers full sun but tolerates partial shade. It does well in moist, even wet, soil and is often an indicator of a swampy or boggy site.It is characterized by a long spike of small, golden-yellow, bell-shaped flowers.
Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems: No known disease or pest issues.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Aletris
- Species:
- aurea
- Family:
- Nartheciaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Aletris root is used in herbal medicine to treat stomach problems such as colic, constipation, diarrhea, gas, and upset stomach.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Southeastern and south central U.S.A.
- Distribution:
- AL , AR , FL , GA , LA , MD , MS , NC , OK , SC , TX , VA
- Wildlife Value:
- This plant attracts butterflies and other pollinators.
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Heat tolerant.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Perennial
- Wildflower
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Maintenance:
- High
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Moist
- Occasionally Wet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 6a, 6b, 7a, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- Fruit displays in August.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Orange
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Spike
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Bell
- Tubular
- Flower Petals:
- 6 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Spike of golden yellow tubular 6 petaled small 1/4 inch flowers bloom from May to July. Flowers are campanulate, more than 2 times or less as long as broad, with erect lobes. The tepals (petals and sepals) are golden yellow in color and have a “mealy” surface.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Rosulate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Lanceolate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The thin leaves are oval to lance-shaped and 4-8 inches long and a basal rosette forms at the base of the stem. The leaves are veined, but not needle-like or scaly.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rain Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Poor Soil
- Wet Soil
