The rhizome of Aletris farinosa, Linné, gathered after the plant
has flowered. ILLUSTRATION.—Strong's American Flora (exclusive
of root), p. 65. COMMON NAMES: Blazing star, Star grass,
Starwort, False unicorn root. Botanical Source.—Aletris is a
small herb found in most parts of the United States. The common
name is Star grass, but the term False unicorn is sometimes
used. The name Unicorn root is more properly applied to
Chamaelirium (Helonias). Aletris is also known as Blazing star.
The leaves are all radical and grass-like, from 1/4 to 1/2 inch
wide, and from 2 to 4 inches long. They are smooth, entire,
acute, and of a firm texture, and have from 6 to 10 parallel and
quite prominent veins. The flowering stem is erect, from 2 to 3
feet high, and arises from the center of the cluster of root
leaves. It has no stem leaves, but at intervals of about 2
inches, there are very small, linear scales, which may readily
escape detection without a close examination. The stems are
round and striate near the base, but a