Definition

Noun: - A perennial herb (Aletris farinosa) native to the southeastern United States, characterized by a scurfy or granuliferous (grainy) perianth and white flowers. It is also known as colicroot.

Usage Notes

• "Ague grass" is a specific common name for a plant species. It is primarily used in botanical contexts or in regional descriptions of flora, particularly in the southeastern United States.
• The term "ague" historically refers to a fever, especially one associated with malaria, which suggests the plant may have been used in traditional medicine for treating such conditions.

Examples

• Noun:
  • We identified several medicinal plants in the pine savanna, including ague grass.
  • The delicate white flowers of the ague grass bloom in late spring.

Advanced Usage

• The name "ague grass" is an example of a folk name that reflects historical medicinal use, linking the plant ("grass") to a treatment for "ague" (fever).

Variants and Related Words

• Colicroot: Another common name for , referring to its traditional use for treating colic.
• Aletris farinosa: The scientific binomial (genus and species) name for this plant.
• Unicorn root: Another folk name for plants in the genus.

Synonyms

• Colicroot
• Star grass (Note: This name can refer to other species; context is key.)
• Blazing star (Note: This name more commonly refers to plants in the genus.)

Related Terms

• Perennial: A plant that lives for more than two years.
• Perianth: The outer part of a flower, consisting of the calyx and corolla.
• Granuliferous: Having a surface covered with small grains or granules.
• Scurfy: Covered with small, scale-like particles.

Noun

1. colicroot having a scurfy or granuliferous perianth and white flowers; southeastern United States