Chamaelirium luteum (L.) A. Gray - syn. Helonias dioica (Walter) Pursh; Melanthium dioicum Walter - Liliaceae \\
false unicorn, blazing star, unicorn root, fairy wand, **Falsches Einhorn**

Perennial herb native to the eastern North America, also cultivated as ornamental or medical herb; basale rosette of spoon-shaped leaves; flowers white, small, in a dense cylindrical spike; male and female flowers borne on seperate plants (female plants somewhat larger).

The fresh bitter roots (Rhizoma Helonias dioicae) were traditionally used to treat different female health problems like menstrual problems, pregnancy complaints, and fertility issues. \\
[Lehrbuch der Biologischen Heilmittel, Gerhard Madaus, 1938] [[http://www.henriettes-herb.com/eclectic/madaus/helonias.html]]

The roots contain steroidal glycosides like the chamaelirosides and 6-dehydrochamaelirosides (with antiproliferative activity).\\
[Structure and bioactivity of steroidal saponins isolated from the roots of Chamaelirium luteum (False Unicorn)., Challinor, V.L., Stuthe, J.M., Parsons, P.G., Lambert, L.K., Lehmann, R.P., Kitching, W., De Voss, J.J., Journal of natural products, 75(8), 2012, 1469-1479]

{{:chamaelirium_luteum.jpg?500}} \\
Chamaelirium luteum Miq. as Ophiostachys virginica, Redouté,P.J., Les Liliacées, vol.8, t.464 (1805-1816) \\
[[http://plantgenera.org/species.php?id_species=230606]]