Aletris farinosa
white colic-root, white colicroot, colic root, unicorn root
Family
Liliaceae
Leaf Arrangement
alternate
Leaf Margin
entire
Leaf Type
simple
Leaf Shape
oblanceolate
Growth Form
forb
Flower Color
white
Flower Month
March - June
Height (meters)
0.4 - 1.0
Milky Sap
No
Armed/Unarmed
Unarmed
Origin
native
Lifespan
perennial
Growing Season
Cool season
Wetland Class
FAC
Prairie Coefficient of Conservatism
8
Field Characters
Identification tip: Very similar to Aletris aurea which has yellow flowers.
Cultural Information
Germination of the seeds of Aletris farinosa is improved by cold/moist stratification (Steffen 1997). Mature plants can be divided in the fall or winter.
Habitat
Dry or moist peats, sands and gravels.