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rattlesnake flower
Scientific Name: Brazoria truncata var. truncata
Family: Lamiaceae
Category: Dicot
Growth: Forb/herb
Duration: Annual
Other Names:
Rattlesnake Master (Eryngium yuccifolium)
Considerations for Pets
- The plant has spine-edged foliage, which may pose a minor hazard.
Considerations for Children
- The plant has spine-edged foliage, which may pose a minor hazard.
Quirky Facts
- The name "Rattlesnake Master" comes from the old belief that the plant could keep venomous snakes away or treat rattlesnake bites.
- John, a prairie writer, described it as having "leaves like yucca, a head like a thistle, and second cousin to the carrot."
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Eryngium yuccifolium Michx.
- Common Names: Rattlesnake Master, Button Eryngo, Button Snakeroot, Yuccaleaf Eryngo, Beargrass, Bear's Smooth
- Family: Apiaceae (Carrot family)
- Plant Symbol: ERYU
Distribution and Habitat
- Native to North America.
- Specifically mentioned as native to the tallgrass prairie and occurs in rocky woods, prairies, and glades of Mississippi.
- Grows well on wet on dry mesic prairie soil.
- Found in the wild in the southeastern United States.
Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits
- Herbaceous perennial plant.
- Typically grows to a height of 2-6 feet (or 2-5' as stated elsewhere). Some sources mention up to 4'.
- Has a stout, unbranched central stem.
- Forms a low clump of grassy, yucca-like leaves.
- Slightly spiny leaves arranged in a rosette.
- Unique golf ball-like flower heads that are rather sculptural.
- Small white flowers are in several dense, spherical, "bristly" heads 0.5-2 cm (0.25-0.75 in.) across. The flower heads are made up of small 5-petaled white flowers.
- Flower heads can be white to blue.
Interactions with Other Organisms
- Flower attracts beneficial insects.
Additional Information
- Prefers a dry, sunny site.
- Adaptable and easy to grow.
- Available at Toadshade Wildflower Farm (mail order nursery in Frenchtown, NJ).
- Elsberry Plant Materials Center (USDA NRCS) contributed to information about the plant.
- Native American Seed sells Rattlesnake Master seeds.
- Dave's Garden is a community that shares tips and ideas for gardens.