Common Name:

General Information

Aletris pauciflora is a herbaceous, perennial plant producing one or more basal rosettes of leaves 3 - 25cm long from a thickened, fleshy, rhizomatous rootstock. Erect, flowering stems 5 - 60cm long are produced in spring and summer[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - southwest China, India, Nepal, Bhutan, northern Myanmar.

Habitat

Mixed, coniferous, and broad-leaved forests, scrub, bamboo scrub, swamps, marshes, bogs, stream banks, wet flushes, damp meadows, grassy alpine slopes, open stony pastures, exposed ridges, river gravels, moraines, rocks; 1,500 - 4,900 metres[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.40 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Aletris pauciflora is found at moderate to high elevations in the subtropical hills and mountains of southwest China and the Himalayas. It experinces frost in these areas. It should be hardy in areas of the temperate zone with mild winters.
Species in this genus generally grow well in a sunny position in a moderately fertile, well-drained soil[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The root is chewed as a treatment for coughs and colds[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - we have no details for this species but suggest sowing the seed in a greenhouse in early spring. Sow the seed thinly to allow the seedlings to be grown on for their first year without potting them up, but give a liquid feed from time to time to ensure that they do not become nutrient deficient. Prick the young plants out into individual pots the following spring and grow them on in the greenhouse for the next winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in early summer.
Division in spring.