Aletris (White-tubed
colicroot) – Aletris farinosa
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Aletris
[Date Accessed: June 30, 2008]
Nomenclature:
·
Aletris
farinosa L.
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Family: Liliaceae
Botany and Ecology:
- Habitat:
rich grassy or sandy woodlands along the forested edge or openings, as it
needs nearly full sunlight, thickets, and mesic prairies; moist to dry
peat and sandy acidic soils (pH <6.8), must be well drained.
- Structure: 1 to 3 feet in height, yellow-green
grass like leaves, leafless flowering stalk reaching 2 to 3.5 feet tall,
here clusters of white urn-shaped flowers are found.
- Perennial
herb, blooms May thru August
- Propagated
by seeds which are commercially available.
Aletris can be sown in a greenhouse in early spring, thinly to
allow seedlings to grow for the first year without being repotted,
administer liquid feed to ward off nutrient deficiencies. After the first year repot the
seedlings, and grow them in the greenhouse for the next winter, and plant
in permanent place in the early summer; they can then be divided every
spring.
- Distribution:
- United States:
AL AR CT DC DE 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
Uses:
- Medicinal:
- Anti-diarrheal, most commonly used to treat colic and other
stomach disorders up until the 19th century. Native Americans
also used the plant as: liver aid reducing jaundice, pulmonary aid, to
treat consumption, anti-rheumatic, carminative, to reduce fever is
children, the tonic was used to strengthen the womb and the root to
prevent miscarriage.
·
Other:
- Aletris is also used as an ornamental
Conservation:
Markets and vendors:
Sources: