Yellow Colicroot Aletris lutea
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- AY-le-triss LOO-tee-uh
- Description
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Yellow colic-root is a short-lived perennial wildflower found in savannas, bogs, and flooded pine woodlands along the coast from Louisiana to Florida. It is in the bog asphodel family (Nartheciaceae) though previously in the lily family (Liliaceae). The common name refers to it once being used to treat colic.
The plant will grow 1-4 feet tall and 6 inches to 1 foot wide and prefers full sun in moist to seasonal flooded sandy acidic soils. It propagates by seed or division of the rhizomes.
The plant can bloom anytime from spring to fall with a spike-like cluster of tubular yellow flowers. The leaves are in a rosette at the base of the stem.
It is difficult to grow and hard to find for sale. If attempting to grow, plant in groups along a bog or pond. It may be best enjoyed in its native habitat.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems.
- 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:
- lutea
- Family:
- Nartheciaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Southeastern U.S.A.
- Distribution:
- LA, GA, AL, MS, FL; possibly native to southeastern NC
- Wildlife Value:
- Pollinators are attracted to flowers
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Heat tolerant.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Wildflower
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
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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:
- Sand
- Soil Drainage:
- Moist
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- 3-parted beaked capsule with tiny reddish seeds displays in June.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Spike
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Tubular
- Flower Petals:
- 6 petals/rays
- fused petals
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Raceme of 3/4 inch cylindrical yellow flowers on stalks 1'-3' tall. Flowers are 2 1/2 times longer than they are wide with tepals (petals and sepals) that have a mealy texture like ground grain leading to the name of this genus. They are composed of 6 fused petals that flare into 6 triangular-shaped lobes when open. Flowers can bloom anytime from March to June.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Leathery
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Rosulate
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Linear
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- 3-7 inch long stemless yellow-green leathery leaves are linear to lance-shaped and form a basal rosette
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Unbranched green stem is mostly naked but may have a few reddish-green bracts.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rain Garden
- Water Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Wet Soil
