[kol-ik-root, -roo
t] 
| 1. | either of two North American plants, Aletris farinosa or A. aurea, of the lily family, having small yellow or white flowers in a spikelike cluster and a root reputed to relieve colic. |
| 2. | any of certain other plants having roots reputed to cure colic. |
| 3. | the blazing star, Liatris squarrosa. |
| colic root | |
noun | |
| any of several perennials of the genus Aletris having grasslike leaves and bitter roots reputed to cure colic [syn: colicroot] |