Other Names: Blazing star, Helionas, Ker-Gawl, Pursh, Starwort, Willd.

Description
A perennial growing up to 3ft (90cm) high. Its natural habitat is the USA. The smooth, angular stem bears alternate, slightly speckled, lanceolate leaves with prominent central veins. The small, green-white flowers appear in in terminal clusters, each flower with its own individual stalk, which are in turn borne from a slightly larger stalk. The petals are somewhat narrow. The roots are greyish brown in colour, ringed transversely and there are many wiry rootlets. The bulbous, nearly cylindrical, rootstock (rhizome) is the part used medicinally and is 1" long and 1/4" thick.

This plant is not to be confused with True Unicorn (Aletris farinosa) which is also colloquially called Blazing star. Its other names are: Ague grass, Bitter grass, Colic root, Mealy starwort, Star grass, Star root.

Growing
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Warning: Large doses may cause sickness and nausea. Professional advice should be sought before use.