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Colicroot (Aletris farinosa)

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Native to North America

Colicroot (Aletris farinosa)

At a glance

A slender flower stalk rises above a basal rosette of narrow leaves. Small white, six-parted flowers have a distinctive grainy surface and cluster along the upper stem.

Scientific name: Aletris farinosa
Family: Nartheciaceae
Growth: Herbaceous perennial
Bloom: Late spring–summer
Habitat: Open sandy or peaty sites, moist meadows, and woodland openings

Identification

  • Basal rosette of narrow, parallel-veined leaves
  • Small white tubular flowers with six spreading tips
  • Grainy or mealy flower surface

Field photographs

Explore 13 field photographs. Select an image to see it at full size.

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Range & sightings

Southeastern Canada and central and eastern United States.

Explore observations on iNaturalist. Observations show reported sightings, not a complete native-range map.

Keep learning

Study Colicroot in the Wildflower Knowledge Quiz

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Identification and range reference: NC State Extension.

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