Aletris
(from aletron, meal; referring to the powdery appearance of the whole plant). The American Star Grass. SYN. Tritonia. ORD. Haemodoraceae. Interesting hardy herbaceous perennials, closely allied to the Amaryllids. Perianth half-inferior, tubular; limb spreading or funnel-shaped; stamens inserted at base of perianth segments, filaments flat. They delight in a sunny but damp situation, with peat, leaf mould, and sand, and are slowly increased by division of the roots.
A. aurea (golden).* fl. yellow, bell-shaped. h. 1ft. to 2ft. North America, 1811. Similar in habit to A. farinosa.
A. capensis (Cape). See Veltheimia viridifolia.
A. farinosa (mealy).* fl. white, bell-shaped, in a terminal spiked raceme, upon stems 1 1/2ft. to 2ft. high. l. lanceolate, ribbed. North America, 1768. A pretty species, forming a spreading tuft, and possessing intensely bitter properties.