Aletris farinosa L.
Family: Nartheciaceae
unicorn root, white colic-root, white stargrass
Aletris farinosa image
Kitty Kohout  
Aletris farinosa image
Robert W. Freckmann  
Etymology: Aletris: Greek for "female slave who grinds corn," allusion to apparent mealy texture of the flowers
Plants: erect, perennial, 2'-3 1/2' tall forb
Leaves: basal, narrowly lance-like with pointed tips, smooth
Flowers: white, 6-parted, 1/4"-1/3" long, tubular, stalked; inflorescence a 4"-8" spike-like terminal cluster (raceme) on a hairless stalk with bract-like leaves; blooms June-July
Fruits: many-seeded capsule
Habitat: dry; open woods, barrens; in sandy, peaty, gravelly soil
Conservation Status: Native
Aletris farinosa image
Robert W. Freckmann  
Aletris farinosa image
Emmet J. Judziewicz