Yellow colic-root is a short-lived perennial wildflower found in savannas, bogs, and flooded pine woodlands along the coast from Louisiana to Florida. It is in the bog asphodel family (Nartheciaceae) though previously in the lily family (Liliaceae). The common name refers to it once being used to treat colic. The plant will grow 1-4 feet tall and 6 inches to 1 foot wide and prefers full sun in moist to seasonal flooded sandy acidic soils. It propagates by seed or division of the rhizomes. The plant can bloom anytime from spring to fall with a spike-like cluster of tubular yellow flowers. The leaves are in a rosette at the base of the stem. It is difficult to grow and hard to find for sale. If attempting to grow, plant in groups along a bog or pond. It may be best enjoyed in its native habitat. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Sand
Soil drainage
Moist | Occasionally Wet
Available space
Less than 12 inches; 12 inches-3 feet
NC region
Coastal
Mature size
Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in. | Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect
Texture
Medium
Leaf color
Gold/Yellow; Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Rosulate
Leaf shape
Lanceolate; Linear
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf feel
Leathery
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
3-7 inch long stemless yellow-green leathery leaves are linear to lance-shaped and form a basal rosette
Flower color
Gold/Yellow
Flower value
Showy
Flower form
Raceme; Spike
Flower shape
Tubular
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Raceme of 3/4 inch cylindrical yellow flowers on stalks 1'-3' tall. Flowers are 2 1/2 times longer than they are wide with tepals (petals and sepals) that have a mealy texture like ground grain leading to the name of this genus. They are composed of 6 fused petals that flare into 6 triangular-shaped lobes when open. Flowers can bloom anytime from March to June.
Bloom time
Spring; Summer
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
3-parted beaked capsule with tiny reddish seeds displays in June.
Stem color
Green
Stem detail
Unbranched green stem is mostly naked but may have a few reddish-green bracts.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
Southeastern U.S.A.
Distribution
LA, GA, AL, MS, FL; possibly native to southeastern NC
Wildlife value
Pollinators are attracted to flowers
Attracts
Bees; Butterflies; Pollinators
Food & Medicine
Harvest time
Summer
Fruit type
Capsule
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Coastal; Woodland
Landscape theme
Native Garden; Pollinator Garden; Rain Garden; Water Garden