Unicorn, False
Chamaelirium luteum
(syn. Helonias dioica, Helonias lutea, Helonias Root, Star Grub
Root, Devil's Bit, Blazing Star, Starwort)
Family: Liliaceae
Herbaceous perennial. Native to the Central and Eastern hardwood
forests of North America. On a forest stroll, the chance meeting
with this demure, flowering beauty is becoming a rare experience indeed.
Helonias root in the form of tincture or tea, often combined with other
female herbs, is probably the most famous of all uterine tonics, a favorite
of the Eclectics and still in great demand to this day. This is one
of the most expensive of all botanicals. The part used is the rhizome,
which resembles a fat grub, the kind that would metamorphose into a huge
bark beetle or if enclosed in a chrysalis, a butterfly whose beauty would
rise up in startling contrast to its squirmy, grey beginnings. But
in reality this is a living rhizome, transversely wrinkled, at most two
inches long and stubby, with numerous pinholes where previous rootlets
have decayed and fallen away, and numerous wiry rootlets still attached.
The basal rosette is composed of succulent, spoon shaped leaves.
The flowers occur in long spikes which curve and dip like graceful fairy
wands. The plant is slow to grow, long lived and very delicate.
Organic cultivation of this plant is of imperative importance to supply
the ever present demand and to insure that the remaining forest dwellers
live their long lives in peace. Cultivation: Extra care.
Sow seeds shallowly in rich, humusy soil and tamp in well. Plant
in the fall, midwinter or very early spring. Use outdoor nursery
bed technique, or sow in flats left outdoors or in an unheated greenhouse.
Space plants 6" apart. Flowers yellowish-white, to 2' tall.
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