Aletris aurea
| Aletris aurea | |
|---|---|
| |
| Photo taken by Gil Nelson | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Division: | Tracheophyta - Vascular plants |
| Class: | Magnoliopsida– Monocotyledons |
| Order: | Dioscoreales |
| Family: | Nartheciaceae |
| Genus: | Aletris |
| Species: | A. aurea |
| Binomial name | |
| Aletris aurea Walter | |
| |
| Natural range of Aletris aurea from USDA NRCS Plants Database. | |
Contents
Description
Common names: Late Flowering Colicroot; Golden Colicroot
It is a perennial (Hall 1993). Flowers from spring to fall (Hall 1993).
Distribution
It is infrequent in north and west Florida; is found west to Texas and north to Maryland (Hall 1993).
Ecology
Habitat
It is found in savannas, flatwoods, and bogs (Wunderlin and Hansen 2003). This species is found in both poorly and well drained areas (FSU Herbarium). Also found on pine plantations (FSU Herbarium). Average maximum root depth is 14.5 cm.[1]. It is found in moist sites (Hall 1993). It requires high levels of light (FSU Herbarium).
Phenology
Flowers have been observed in June (FSU Herbarium)
Seed dispersal
Seed bank and germination
Fire ecology
This plant does well in areas that are annually burned (FSU Herbarium)
Pollination
Use by animals
Diseases and parasites
Conservation and Management
Cultivation and restoration
The roots were used to for medicinal properties. Porcher explains that Pursh says it is an excellent remedy in colic, chronic rheumatism, and dropsical affections. In large doses it may cause nausea and vomiting.[2]
Photo Gallery
References and notes
Florida State University Robert K. Godfrey Herbarium Database. URL:http://herbarium.bio.fsu.edu. Last accessed: June 2014.
Collectors: Loran C. Anderson, Robert K. Godfrey, R. Komarek, and R.A. Norris
States and Counties: Florida: Liberty. Georgia: Thomas.
Hall, David W. Illustrated Plants of Florida and the Coastal Plain: based on the collections of Leland and Lucy Baltzell. 1993. A Maupin House Book. Gainesville. 241. Print.
Wunderlin, Richard P. and Bruce F. Hansen. Guide to the Vascular Plants of Florida. Second edition. 2003. University Press of Florida: Gainesville/Tallahassee/Tampa/Boca Raton/Pensacola/Orlando/Miami/Jacksonville/Ft. Myers. 147. Print.
- ↑ Brewer, J. S., D. J. Baker, et al. (2011). "Carnivory in plants as a beneficial trait in wetlands." Aquatic Botany 94: 62-70.
- ↑ Porcher, F. P. (1863). Resources of the southern fields and forests, medical, economical, and agricultural : being also a medical botany of the Confederate States; with practical information on the useful properties of the trees, plants and shrubs. Richmond, VA, Order of the Surgeon-General.
