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True Unicorn Root Aletris farinosa

Phonetic Spelling
AY-let-riss far-ih-NOH-suh
Description

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:
Tags:
#white flowers#spring flowers#herbaceous#NC native#summer flowers#herbaceous perennial#spring interest#pollinator plant#native wildflower#food source summer#NC Native Pollinator Plant#food source nectar#food source pollen#Coastal FAC#Piedmont Mountains FAC#wet soils tolerant#roadside#Audubon#perennial#boggy sites#wildflower#meadow
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#white flowers#spring flowers#herbaceous#NC native#summer flowers#herbaceous perennial#spring interest#pollinator plant#native wildflower#food source summer#NC Native Pollinator Plant#food source nectar#food source pollen#Coastal FAC#Piedmont Mountains FAC#wet soils tolerant#roadside#Audubon#perennial#boggy sites#wildflower#meadow
  • 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.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Native Plant
    Perennial
    Wildflower
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Spreading
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Coarse
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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