True Unicorn Root Aletris farinosa
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- AY-let-riss far-ih-NOH-suh
- Description
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The flowers on Colic-Root are formed on a 6-18' spike-like raceme along the upper half of the stalk. Individual flowers are under 1/2" long and have 6 white tepals with moderately curved tips. The tepals are joined with the exception of the tips, giving the flower a tubular shape.
This native wildflower has two forms of leaves. A low rosette of basal leaves, 2-7" long 1/4-1" wide that may be lanceolate-oblong, elliptic-oblong or oblanceolate-oblong in shape. These have a smooth margin. It also has low grass-like or rosette leaves at the base of the plant that are 1" long and 1/8" across. This base leaves are thin, hairless and lanceolate shaped.
It can be found growing in open woods, dry or wet meadows, sandy beaches, roadsides, and along peaty bog edges.
Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: Does not grow well when in competition with other plants.
- 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:
- farinosa
- Family:
- Nartheciaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- The root has been used to make a tonic used as an aid to digestion and a sedative, hence the common name Colic-Root
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Southeastern Canada and central and eastern U.S.A.
- Distribution:
- AL, AR, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MS, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VA, WI, WV
- Wildlife Value:
- This plant attracts pollinators.
- Play Value:
- Attracts Pollinators
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 6 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 2 in. - 0 ft. 7 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Perennial
- Wildflower
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Spreading
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Coarse
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Dry
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Fruit displays from July to August in the form of a small ovoid capsule. Each capsule contains numerous seeds that are scattered by the wide once the capsule splits open.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Spike
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Urn
- Flower Petals:
- 6 petals/rays
- Tepals
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- A spike-like raceme cluster of small, urn-shaped, six-tepaled white flowers; does not grow in a spiral; has a rough, swollen base; hugs the nearly leafless flower stalk; flowers have a distinctive warty mealy appearance. Blooms from April to June.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Lanceolate
- Oblanceolate
- Oblong
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- 2 to 7 in., pale yellow-green leaves, narrow at base and tip, basal rosette.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Description:
- The lower half of the stalk is pale green to yellow-green and pubescent.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Meadow
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Wet Soil
