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Aletris farinosa is often confused with:
Aletris aurea Flowers
Aletris lutea Flowers
Spiranthes S. lacera flower
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Trillium erectum Flowers
Trillium undulatum Form
Viola sororia Viola papilionacea

White Stargrass Aletris farinosa

Other Common Name(s):

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

Colic-root is a native herbaceous perennial n in the Narthecium family (Nartheciaceae0 native to the Eastern and central United States from Ontario Canada south to FL and west to MI and TX. It is found primarily in moist peaty, sandy or gravelly areas of the coastal areas and lakes. The common name refers to the root once being used to treat colic.

The plant will grow up to 2.5 feet tall and prefers full sun to partial shade in moist to wet soils. Well-drained sandy or rocky soils are best. It prefers to grow uncrowded but will tolerate drier woodland and grassland habitats.

The flowers of 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 tubular with 6 white tepals with moderately curved tips.  Leaves form a low rosette at the base of the stem.

The plant is not generally found for sale and should be enjoyed in its native habitat.

Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems:  No significant problems

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
 
Aletris farinosa
Flowers Fritz Flohr Reynolds CC BY-NC 2.0
White flowers with orange stamens
Flower detil cassi saari CC BY 1.0
Along a roadside.
Along a roadside. Eleanor CC BY-NC 2.0
Basal rosette of leaves
Basal rosette of leaves. Tom Glasgow CC BY-NC 4.0
In a meadow.
In a meadow. mlhradio CC BY-NC 2.0
Rosette of green leaves
Rosette form Daniel Folds CC BY-NC 4.0
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:
    USA: 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 Canada: ON
    Wildlife Value:
    This plant attracts pollinators.
    Play Value:
    Attracts Pollinators
  • 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 with orange stamens. It has a rough, swollen base and hugs the nearly leafless flower stalk. Fowers have a distinctive warty mealy appearance. Blooms from April to June.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Rosulate
    Leaf Shape:
    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 are lance-shaped and parallel-veined in a rosette at the base of the stem with a few alternate leaves on the stem
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Form:
    Straight
    Stem Surface:
    Hairy (pubescent)
    Stem Description:
    The lower half of the stalk is pale green to yellow-green and pubescent.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Meadow
    Pond
    Riparian
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Water Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Specimen
    Attracts:
    Pollinators
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Wet Soil