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chamaelirium

Scientific Name: Chamaelirium

Family: Liliaceae

Category: Monocot

Growth:

Duration:

Other Names:

       

Chamaelirium luteum: The False Unicorn

Chamaelirium luteum, a fascinating plant with a rich history in herbalism, is known by a variety of common names, reflecting its diverse uses and perceived properties.

Common Names

  • Blazing-star
  • Devil's bit
  • False unicorn
  • Fairy wand
  • Helonias Root
  • Star Grub Root
  • Drooping Starwort
  • Starwort
  • Unicorn Root
  • Unicorn's-horn
  • Squirrel Tail
  • Rattlesnake-root

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Chamaelirium luteum (L.) A. Gray
  • Family: Liliaceae (formerly), now Chionographidaceae (Fairy Wand Family), and sometimes Melanthaceae
  • Synonyms:
    • Helonias dioica (Walter) Pursh.
    • Chamaelirium carolinianum Willd.
    • Helonias lutea
    • Veratrum luteum Linnaeus (Basionym)
  • Kingdom: Plantae
  • Taxonomic Rank: Species

Distribution and Habitat

  • Native to North America.
  • Its natural range stretches across eastern North America.
  • Found in moist, acidic soils.
  • Prefers part shade to full shade.
  • Historically, the northeastern extreme of its distribution was in New England, specifically Connecticut and Massachusetts.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

  • A perennial plant, growing to approximately 0.5 meters (1 foot 8 inches) in height and 0.3 meters (1 foot) in width.
  • Hardy to zone 4 (UK).
  • Flowers from May to June.
  • Features a basal rosette of leaves.
  • Has a single flowering stalk.
  • The plant is dioecious, meaning individual plants bear either male or female flowers.
  • Flowers are typically white or greenish-white.

Constituents

  • Contains a yellowish bitter principle called Chamaelirin.
  • Contains Chamaelirin, a saponin-like glycoside.
  • Also contains fatty acids and sterols.

Ecological Role

  • The plant is considered a rare monotypic woodland perennial.

Traditional and Modern Uses

  • Historically used in Western Herbalism, sometimes under the name Helonias dioica.
  • Some consider it useful for female health, including menstrual irregularities, pain, and ovarian issues.
  • Used for ovarian cysts, menopause, and PMS.

Resources and Further Information

  • U.S.D.A. Forest Service, Eastern Region, Shawnee National Forest, Hoosier National Forest.
  • Medscape.
  • Discover Life.
  • The Plant List.

Quirky Facts

  • The name "Chamaelirium" is derived from Greek: "chamae," meaning on the ground, and "lirion," meaning white lily. However, the name seems to be based on dried specimens, as the flowers are white, not yellow, and the plant isn't dwarf-sized.