blazing-star

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• blazing-star
• devil's-bit
• fairy-wand
• blazingstar
• false unicorn
• false unicorn-root
• helonias

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Siraitos luteus
• Helonias lutea
• Melanthium luteum
• Diclinotrys albiflorum
• Chamaelirium carolinianum
• Chamaelirium obovale
• Melanthium dioicum
• Helonias pumila
• Veratrum luteum
• Veratrum flavum
• Chionographis lutea
• Abalon albiflorum var. obovatum
• Abalon albiflorum var. pumilum
• Abalon albiflorum var. serpentarium
• Helonias dioica
• Abalon albiflorum var. spicatum
• Abalon albiflorum var. sylvaticum

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, situated within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further classified under the order Liliales and the family Melanthiaceae. Ultimately, its specific taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Chamaelirium.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide geographical range across several regions of North America. In Eastern Canada, its presence is specifically noted within the province of Ontario. Moving into the North-Central United States, it can be found in Illinois. The species is also distributed throughout the Northeastern United States, including Indiana. Furthermore, its range extends across the coastal areas of Connecticut and Massachusetts.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Chamaeliurium luteum is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons and maintain its presence within its ecosystem over a long duration. In terms of its structural growth strategy, the species functions as a geophyte, surviving unfavorable environmental periods by retreating to underground storage organs that protect its vital tissues from external stressors.

Life form :

geophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Chamaeliurium luteum is characterized by a growth form classified as a non-woody herb and forb, lacking a woody stem structure. It functions as an independent organism, neither acting as a parasite nor as an epiphyte, maintaining a terrestrial existence. Although its habitat can encompass various moisture levels, it is categorized within the terrestrial spectrum rather than being strictly aquatic or semiaquatic. In terms of its physical habit, the plant is self-supporting, meaning it does not exhibit the climbing behaviors associated with lianas, vines, or obligatory or facultative climbers.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

non-woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Chamaelirium luteum has 1 reported plant parts identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include root.

Root

1. Chemistry (Weinheim an der Bergstrasse, Germany)
2. Journal of natural products
3. Experimental biology and medicine (Maywood, N.J.)

Chemicals

Chamaelirium luteum has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include (23R,24S)-Chiograsterol A, DIOSGENIN, Saponins, Sterols, linoleic acid.

(23R,24S)-Chiograsterol A

1. Journal of natural products

DIOSGENIN

1. Dr. Duke

Saponins

1. Dr. Duke

Sterols

1. Journal of natural medicines

linoleic acid

1. Dr. Duke

oleic acid

1. Dr. Duke

stearic acid

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Chamaelirium luteum has 47 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include 5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor, Allergenic, Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor, Anemiagenic, AntiMS.

5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Anemiagenic

1. Dr. Duke

AntiMS

1. Dr. Duke

Antiacne

1. Dr. Duke

Antialopecic

1. Dr. Duke

Antianaphylactic

1. Dr. Duke

Antiandrogenic

1. Dr. Duke

Antiarteriosclerotic

1. Dr. Duke