Harvard University Herbaria & Libraries

Index of Botanical Specimens

Harvard University Herbaria Barcode(s)	01082433
Collector	H. D. Thoreau
Country	United States of America
State	Massachusetts
Geography	North America: North America (CA, US, MX) (Region): United States of America: Massachusetts: Bristol County: Fairhaven
Locality	Sconticut Neck
Vernacular Name	star grass
GUID	http://purl.oclc.org/net/edu.harvard.huh/guid/uuid/96c9f5f5-7f22-4121-8912-b3eb48800f7a
Harvard University Herbaria Barcode	01082433
Herbarium	GH
Determination	Aletris farinosa Linnaeus
Determination Remarks	[filed under] [label name] [current name]
Subcollection	Thoreau Herbarium
Phenology	Flower
Preparation Type	Sheet
Preparation Method	Pressed

Remarks

[“June 26. . . I had been expecting to find the aletris about New Bedford, and when taking our luncheon-box, between me and R., but what I knew must be the Aletris farinosa; not yet out, but one near by would open apparently in two or three days. . . Heard of and sought out Martha Simons, the only pure-blooded Indian left about New Bedford. . . The question she answered with the most interest was, ‘What do you call that plant?’ and I reached her the aletris from my hat. She took it, looked at it a moment, and said, ‘That’s husk-root. It’s good to put into bitters for a weak stomach.’” Journal 8: 387-391. 1856]