Aletris farinosa
Common Name: Unicorn Root
Family: Liliaceae
Known Hazards: The fresh root is mildly poisonous.
Range: South-eastern N. America - Southern Maine to Florida, west to Texas and Wisconsin.
Physical Characteristics
Aletris farinosa is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft) by 0.2 m (0ft 8in).
It is hardy to zone 7. It is in flower from May to August. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs).The plant prefers light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and requires well-drained soil. The plant prefers acid soils and can grow in very acid soils.
It cannot grow in the shade. It requires moist soil.
Habitats
Woodland Garden Sunny Edge;
Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Root.
Bulb - cooked. Intensely bitter. A bitter-sweet soapy taste.
Medicinal Uses
Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antiinflammatory; Bitter; Diuretic; Narcotic; Tonic.
The greatest value of unicorn root is its tonic influence on the female generative organs, proving to be of great use in treating cases of habitual miscarriages. It also promotes the appetite and is used in the treatment of diarrhoea, rheumatism and jaundice. The root is bitter, diuretic, narcotic and tonic. Only use the dried rootstock, in large doses the fresh root is somewhat narcotic, emetic and cathartic.
A decoction of the root is a bitter tonic and has been used for expelling flatulence and for various uterine disorders. It is used in the treatment of colic, though small doses, especially of the fresh root, can cause hypogastric colic. The root is harvested in late summer after flowering and dried for later use. The root contains diosgenin, which has both anti-inflammatory and oestrogenic properties. A tea of the leaves has been used in the treatment of colic, stomach disorders, dysentery and bloody dysentery.
Cultivation
Prefers a damp sunny position in peat, leaf-mold and sand. Requires a sunny position. Plants are hardy to between -10 and -15°c.
Propagation
Seed - we have no details for this species but suggest sowing the seed in a greenhouse in early spring. Sow the seed thinly to allow the seedlings to be grown on for their first year without potting them up, but give a liquid feed from time to time to ensure that they do not become nutrient deficient. Prick the young plants out into individual pots the following spring and grow them on in the greenhouse for the next winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in early summer. Division in spring.
Author: L. on Plant For a Future
References available on source website.
