Aletris farinosa, Unicorn root, stargrass, crow corn, Ague grass, Aloerot, colic root

Last updated: February 8, 2026Reviewed date: February 8, 2026Reading time: 7 min read

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Article Summary

Aletris farinosa, commonly known as Unicorn root , stargrass , whitetube stargrass , crow corn , Ague grass , Aloerot , Devil’s-bit , colic root , ague root , starwort , blazing star , mealy starwort , huskwort is a plant species native to North America and is distributed widely throughout the continent. Three other species of aletris, Aletris aurea Walt, A. lutea Small, and A. obovata...

Key Takeaways

This article explains Aletris Facts in simple medical language.
This article explains Aletris Scientific Classification in simple medical language.
This article explains Traditional Medicinal uses of Aletris in simple medical language.

Educational health guideWritten for patient understanding and clinical awareness.

Reviewed content workflowUse writer and reviewer profiles for stronger trust.

Emergency safety firstUrgent warning signs are highlighted below.

Seek urgent medical care if you notice

These warning signs are general safety guidance. Local emergency numbers and clinical judgment should always come first.

Severe symptoms, breathing difficulty, fainting, confusion, or rapidly worsening illness.
New weakness, severe pain, high fever, or symptoms after a serious injury.
Any symptom that feels urgent, unusual, or unsafe for the patient.

Emergency now

Use emergency care for severe, sudden, rapidly worsening, or life-threatening symptoms.

See a doctor

Book a professional medical evaluation if symptoms persist, worsen, recur often, affect daily activities, or occur in a high-risk patient.

Learn safely

Use this article to understand possible causes, tests, treatment options, prevention, and questions to ask your clinician.

Aletris farinosa, commonly known as Unicorn root , stargrass , whitetube stargrass , crow corn , Ague grass , Aloerot , Devil’s-bit , colic root , ague root , starwort , blazing star , mealy starwort , huskwort is a plant species native to North America and is distributed widely throughout the continent. Three other species of aletris, Aletris aurea Walt, A. lutea Small, and A. obovata Nash, bear much resemblance to A. farinosa and are frequently collected with the latter. It is a perennial herb spreading by means of underground rhizomes and forming rosettes of leaves.

Aletris Facts

Name	Aletris
Scientific Name	Aletris farinosa
Native	North America
Common Names	Unicorn root , stargrass , whitetube stargrass , crow corn , Ague grass , Aloerot , Devil’s-bit , colic root , ague root , starwort , blazing star , mealy starwort , huskwort
Name in Other Languages	English: Ague, agueroot, colicroot, crow-corn, mealy star-grass, mealy starwort, unicorn-root, white colicroot, white star-grass, white colicroot, colicroot, mealy stargrass, unicorn root, white stargrass, white-tubed colicroot French: Alétris farineux Swedish: Mjöllilja
Plant Growth Habit	Low-growing, spreading perennial herb
Growing Climate	Grassy or sandy woodlands, in dry or moist peats, sands and gravels, especially on the seashore
Plant Size	1 m in height
Root	Tuberous cylindrical, somewhat horizontal root
Leaf	Lanceolate, acute, ribbed, sessile, or slightly sheathing at base, smooth and flat, pale coloured, thin and coriaceous.
Flower	1 to 3 feet high, topped with a spiked raceme of short-stalked, white, bell-shaped oblong flowers
Flowering Season	May to August
Fruit Shape & Size	Ovate, tapering, coriaceous capsule, enclosed in a persistent envelope
Seed	Numerous, ovate, ribbed, albuminous, fleshy, and oily
Taste	Bitter-sweet soapy taste
Plant Parts Used	Root, dried rhizome

Aletris Scientific Classification

Scientific Name: Aletris farinosa

Rank	Scientific Name & (Common Name)
Kingdom	Plantae (Plants)
Subkingdom	Tracheobionta (Vascular plants)
Infrakingdom	Streptophyta (land plants)
Superdivision	Spermatophyta (Seed plants)
Division	Magnoliophyta (Flowering plants)
Class	Liliopsida (Monocotyledons)
Subclass	Liliidae
Order	Liliales
Family	Liliaceae (Lily family)
Genus	Aletris L. (colicroot)
Species	Aletris farinosa L. (white colicroot)
Synonyms	Aletris alba Michx. Aletris lucida Raf.

Plant Description

Aletris is a low-growing, spreading perennial herb, with tuberous cylindrical, somewhat horizontal root, having many fibers from its lower surface. The plant grows in grassy or sandy woodlands, in dry or moist peats, sands and gravels, especially on the seashore. No stem is found in this plant. Leaves are lanceolate, acute, ribbed, sessile, or slightly sheathing at base, smooth and flat, pale colored, thin and coriaceous. Flower-stem are simple with remote scales, 1 to 3 feet high, topped with a spiked raceme of short-stalked, white, bell-shaped oblong flowers that blooms from May to August. The outer surface of these has a mealy frosted appearance. Fruit is an ovate, tapering, coriaceous capsule, enclosed in a persistent envelope. Seeds are numerous, ovate, ribbed, albuminous, fleshy, and oily.

History

Aletris is actually a North American plant which is recognized throughout the world in traditional folk medicine. Aletris occurs in dry, generally sandy soil from Maine to Minnesota, Florida, and Tennessee. It had been used by American Indians in the Carolinas as an antidiarrheal tea and in Appalachia for the management of rheumatisms and as a tonic and a sedative. It has been included in laxatives and has been used as an anti-flatulent (hence the name “colic root”) and antispasmodic. The roots and rhizomes are collected in the fall and dried for preservation.

Traditional Medicinal uses of Aletris

It is use in treating cases of habitual miscarriages.
Used for gynecological disorders or ‘female complaints’ in the US including dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea and prolapsed vagina complaints.
It also promotes the appetite and is used in the treatment of diarrhea, rheumatism and jaundice.
In large doses the fresh root is somewhat narcotic, emetic and cathartic.
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 hypo gastric colic.
Root contains diosgenin, which has both infection, or irritation, often causing pain, swelling, heat, or redness. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের প্রদাহ; ব্যথা, ফোলা বা লালভাব হতে পারে।" data-rx-term="inflammation" data-rx-definition="Inflammation is the body’s response to injury, infection, or irritation, often causing pain, swelling, heat, or redness. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের প্রদাহ; ব্যথা, ফোলা বা লালভাব হতে পারে।">inflammation, pain, or swelling. সহজ বাংলা: প্রদাহ/ফোলা/ব্যথা কমায়।" data-rx-term="anti-inflammatory" data-rx-definition="Anti-inflammatory means reducing inflammation, pain, or swelling. সহজ বাংলা: প্রদাহ/ফোলা/ব্যথা কমায়।">anti-inflammatory and oestrogenic properties.
Tea of the leaves has been used in the treatment of colic, stomach disorders, dysentery and bloody dysentery.
Aletris was used to treat dysmenorrhea and relieve symptoms of menopause.
Aletris can help relieve undesired symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes and vaginal dryness.
Aletris may help relieve joint, muscle and tendon pain, and may also relieve constipation, diarrhea, gas and colic.

Precautions

The fresh root is mildly poisonous causing abdominal discomfort.
It’s best to avoid using colic root if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.
Avoid in patients with a known allergy or hypersensitivity to true unicorn root, its constituents, or members of the Liliaceae family.
Avoid in patients with inflammatory or infectious gastrointestinal conditions, as unicorn root may irritate the gastrointestinal tract.

Dosages

The dried powdered root, 5 to 10 grains.
Saturated tincture, 5 to 15 drops in water.
Fluid extract, 1/2 to 1 drachm

References

Safety note: This is not a prescription or diagnosis. For severe symptoms, pregnancy danger signs, children with serious illness, chest pain, breathing difficulty, stroke-like weakness, or major injury, seek urgent care.

Which doctor may help?

Start with a registered doctor or the nearest qualified health center.

What to tell the doctor

Write when the problem started and how it changed.
Bring old prescriptions, investigation reports, and current medicines.
Write allergies, pregnancy status, diabetes, kidney/liver disease, and major past illnesses.
Bring one family member if the patient is weak, elderly, confused, or a child.

Questions to ask

What is the most likely cause of my symptoms?
Which danger signs mean I should go to hospital quickly?
Which tests are necessary now, and which can wait?
How should I take medicines safely and what side effects should I watch for?
When should I come for follow-up?

Tests to discuss

Vital signs: temperature, pulse, blood pressure, oxygen saturation
Basic physical examination by a clinician
CBC, urine test, blood sugar, or imaging only when clinically needed

Avoid these mistakes

Do not use antibiotics, steroid tablets/injections, or strong painkillers without proper medical advice.
Do not hide pregnancy, kidney disease, ulcer, allergy, or blood thinner use.
Do not delay emergency care when danger signs are present.

Medicine safety and first-aid guide

This section is for patient education only. It does not replace a doctor, pharmacist, or emergency care.

Safe first steps

Avoid heavy lifting, sudden bending, and prolonged bed rest.
Use comfortable posture and gentle movement as tolerated.
Discuss physiotherapy, X-ray, or MRI only when clinically needed.

OTC medicine safety

For mild back pain, pain-relief medicine may be discussed with a doctor or pharmacist.
Avoid repeated painkiller use if you have kidney disease, stomach ulcer, uncontrolled blood pressure, or are taking blood thinners.

Avoid these mistakes

Do not start antibiotics without a proper medical decision.
Do not use steroid tablets or injections casually for quick relief.
Do not delay emergency care because of home remedies.

Get urgent help if

Back pain with leg weakness, numbness around private area, loss of urine/stool control, fever, cancer history, or major injury needs urgent care.

Medicine names, dose, and timing must be decided by a qualified clinician or pharmacist after checking age, pregnancy, allergy, other diseases, and current medicines.

For rural patients and family caregivers

Patient health record and symptom diary

Write your symptoms, medicines already taken, test results, and questions before visiting a doctor. This note stays on your device unless you print or copy it.

Doctor to discuss: Doctor / qualified healthcare provider

Tests to discuss with doctor

Basic vital signs: temperature, pulse, blood pressure, oxygen level if needed
Relevant blood, urine, imaging, or specialist tests only after clinical assessment

Questions to ask

What is the most likely cause of my symptoms?
Which warning signs mean I should go to emergency care?
Which tests are really needed now?
Which medicines are safe for my age, pregnancy status, allergy, kidney/liver/stomach condition, and current medicines?

Emergency warning signs such as chest pain, severe breathing difficulty, sudden weakness, confusion, severe dehydration, major injury, or loss of bladder/bowel control need urgent medical care. Do not wait for online information.

Go to emergency care if you notice:

Severe or rapidly worsening symptoms
Breathing difficulty, chest pain, fainting, confusion, severe weakness, major injury, or severe dehydration

Doctor / service to discuss: Qualified healthcare provider; specialist depends on symptoms and examination.

Step 1
Check danger signs first
If danger signs are present, seek emergency care and do not wait for online information.
Step 2
Record the symptom story
Write when symptoms started, severity, medicines already taken, allergies, pregnancy status, and test results.
Step 3
Visit a qualified clinician
A doctor, nurse, or qualified healthcare provider can examine you and decide which tests or treatment are needed.
Step 4
Do only useful tests
Do tests after clinical assessment. Avoid unnecessary tests, random antibiotics, or repeated medicines without diagnosis.
Step 5
Follow up and return early if worse
If symptoms worsen, new warning signs appear, or treatment is not helping, return for review quickly.

Rural patient practical tips

Take a written symptom diary and all previous prescriptions/test reports.
Do not hide medicines already taken, even herbal or over-the-counter medicines.
Ask which warning signs mean urgent referral to hospital.

This roadmap is for education. A real diagnosis and treatment plan requires history, examination, and clinical judgment.

RX Patient Help

Ask a health question safely

Write your symptom story. A health professional or site editor can review it before any answer is prepared. This box is not for emergency care.

Emergency first: Severe chest pain, breathing trouble, unconsciousness, stroke signs, severe injury, heavy bleeding, or rapidly worsening symptoms need urgent local medical care now.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this article a replacement for a doctor?

No. It is educational content only. Patients should consult a qualified clinician for diagnosis and treatment.

When should I seek urgent care?

Seek urgent care for severe symptoms, rapidly worsening condition, breathing difficulty, severe pain, neurological changes, or any emergency warning sign.