Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Rattlesnake Master

Photographed 28 July 2013, Cinder Path prairie remnant north of Humeston, Iowa.

Eryngium yuccifolium. This distinctive member of the carrot family is native to Lucas County's moist to slightly dry black dirt prairies. It can be grown with few issues and thrives in re-established prairies, but rarely establishes itself unassisted in disturbed ground. So finding it in the wild signals that the ground around it has not been disturbed. Rattlesnake Master is found in most if not all of Lucas County's prairie remnants.

Photographed 17 July 2014, Cinder Path prairie remnant east of Derby, Iowa.

Plant grows 2-5 feet tall, preferring full sun, as a stout central stem unbranched except near long-stalked inflorescence. Long strap-like leaves near the base of plants resemble those of yucca. Prickley balls of five-petaled tiny white flowers, each surrounded by a bract, develop mid- to late summer, generally a half to an inch across, and remain attractive in dried condition into winter.

Photographed 17 July 2014, Cinder Path prairie remnant east of  Derby, Iowa.

The name Rattlesnake Master apparently results from mistaken EuroAmerican pioneer belief that Native Americans used the plant's root as an antidote for rattlesnake venom. Although the root was used medicinally, it has no effect on rattlesnake venom.

Photographed 28 July 2013, Cinder Path prairie remnant north of Humeston, Iowa.


1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Muchas gracias, mem