Blazing Star - Unicorn Root - Devil's Bit, Fairywand
Chamaelirium luteum

Family: Melanthiaceae

What it is like

Chamaelirium luteum is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in) by 0.3 m (1ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4. It is in flower from May to June. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). . The plant is not self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid soils and can grow in very acid soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 0.5

Where it is found

Low moist ground in meadows, thickets and rich woods.

Eastern N. America - New York to Florida, west to Arkansas, Illinois and Michigan.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 0

Medicine

Rating: 3

Blazing star is a traditional remedy of the North American Indians where it was used mainly as a woman's herb. It is widely used in Western herbal medicine where it is seen as a balancing herb for the female reproductive system and has proved to be a beneficial remedy for menstrual problems and ovarian cysts - it can also be of help in the menopause. The root is adaptogen, diuretic, emetic, uterine tonic and vermifuge. Small doses of the dried and powdered root are used. It is employed in the treatment of amenorrhoea, dysmenorrhoea and leucorrhoea and also for a variety of ailments associated with the male and female reproductive organs. It should be used with caution since an excess causes vomiting. The root is harvested in the autumn and dried for later use.

Adaptogen: Helps the body

Diuretic: Acts on the kidneys, promoting the flow of urine.

Emetic: Induces vomiting.

Tonic: Improves general health. Slower acting than a stimulant, it brings steady improvement.

Uterine tonic: A tonic for the uterus. See also oxytoxic.

Vermifuge: Expels and kills internal parasites.

Other

Rating:

How it is grown

Requires a moist fertile humus-rich acidic soil in sun or light dappled shade. Prefers a cool peaty soil. Plants are dioecious, male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

Propagating it: Seed - sow as soon as it is ripe just below the surface of a peat/sand mix in pots in a cold frame. Keep cool and moist. Germination usually takes place within 1 - 6 months at 10°c. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in pots plunged in a nursery bed for 1 - 2 years, giving protection from severe weather. Plant out in spring when the plants are large enough. Division.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge;

Habit: Perennial

Hardiness: 4-8

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

This plant is a cardiac toxin in large quantities. Large doses may cause nausea & vomiting. Chamaelirium luteum is an emmenagogue (promotes menstruation) so best avoided during pregnancy .

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

C. carolinianum. Helonias dioica. H. lutea. Veratrum luteum.