colicroot

col·ic·root  (klk-rt, -rt)

n.

1. Any of certain perennial herbs of the genus Aletris in the lily family, especially A. farinosa of eastern North America, having racemes of small white flowers and rootstocks formerly used in medicine to treat colic. Also called star grass.

2. Any of various other plants thought to relieve colic.

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colicroot [ˈkɒlɪkˌruːt]

n

1. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Plants) either of two North American liliaceous plants, Aletris farinosa or A. aurea, having tubular white or yellow flowers and a bitter root formerly used to relieve colic

2. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Plants) any of various other plants formerly used to relieve colic

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

colicroot - any of several perennials of the genus Aletris having grasslike leaves and bitter roots reputed to cure colic colic root, crow corn, star grass, unicorn root liliaceous plant - plant growing from a bulb or corm or rhizome or tuber Aletris, genus Aletris - small genus of bitter-rooted herbs of eastern North America and Asia; sometimes placed in family Melanthiaceae ague grass, ague root, Aletris farinosa - colicroot having a scurfy or granuliferous perianth and white flowers; southeastern United States Aletris aurea, yellow colicroot - colicroot with yellow-bracted racemose flowers; smaller than Aletris farinosa; southeastern United States