plant-banner1

NC Native Plant Society:
Plant Details

Aletris farinosa

Northern White Colic-root, Mealy Colic-root, Stargrass

Scientific Name:

Aletris farinosa

Genus:

Aletris

Species Epithet:

farinosa

Common Name:

Northern White Colic-root, Mealy Colic-root, Stargrass

Plant Type

Herb/Wildflower

Life Cycle

Perennial

Plant Family

Nartheciaceae (Bog-Asphodel Family)

Native/Alien:

NC Native

Size:

1-3 ft.

Bloom Color(s):

White

Light:

Sun - 6 or more hours of sun per day, Part Shade - 2 to 6 hours of sun per day

Soil Moisture:

Dry, Moist

Bloom Time:

April, May, June

Growing Area:

Mountains, Piedmont, Sandhills, Coastal Plain

Habitat Description:

Pine savannas, pine flatwoods, seepage bogs, mafic fens and barrens, upland woodlands, roadbanks. Common in NC mountains and coastal plain; uncommon in piedmont.

Leaf Arrangement:

Basal

Leaf Retention:

Deciduous

Leaf Type:

Leaves veined, not needle-like or scale-like

Leaf Form:

Simple

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Wildlife Value:

Has some wildlife value

Landscape Value:

Recommended and Available

State Rank:

S5: Secure (*Key)

Global Rank:

G5 - Secure (*Key)

State Status:

Exploited (*Key)

Notes:

Plants are available and suitable for bog gardens.

Plant

image

Martha Baskin
Natahala, NC
Late June

Basal Leaves

image

Martha Baskin
Natahala, NC
Late June

Waning Basal Leaves

image

Tom Harville
Columbus County, NC
Mid Oct

Blooms

image

Martha Baskin
Natahala, NC
Late June

Spent Blooms

image

Tom Harville
Columbus County, NC
Mid Oct

Several hundred Aletris farinosa decorate this wet meadow in the Carolina Sandhills NWR in early May.

Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge, Chesterfield County, South Carolina

The Scientific Name is Aletris farinosa. You will likely hear them called Northern White Colic-root, Mealy Colic-root, Stargrass. This picture shows the Several hundred Aletris farinosa decorate this wet meadow in the Carolina Sandhills NWR in early May. of Aletris farinosa

Will Stuart

3 petals and 3 sepals of Aletris farinosa are fused into a slender ridged tube with flaring tips.

Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge, Chesterfield County, South Carolina

The Scientific Name is Aletris farinosa. You will likely hear them called Northern White Colic-root, Mealy Colic-root, Stargrass. This picture shows the 3  petals and 3 sepals of Aletris farinosa are fused into a slender ridged tube with flaring tips. of Aletris farinosa

Will Stuart

Links:

USDA PLANTS Database Record

eFloras Plant
 



Permalink - (right click to save this page to your bookmarks)

<<< PREVIOUS

NEXT >>>

back to top
go to plant details search
go to plant images search
go to gallery home
back to Initial a Gallery
back to orchids
back to Carnivorous Plants
back to Trilliums