(n) any of several perennials of the genus Aletris having grasslike leaves and bitter roots reputed to cure colic, Syn. unicorn root, colic root, crow corn, star grass
n. A bitter American herb of the Bloodwort family, with the leaves all radical, and the small yellow or white flowers in a long spike (Aletris farinosa and Aletris aurea). Called sometimes star grass, blackroot, blazing star, and unicorn root. [ 1913 Webster ]