Eryngium yuccifolium
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Tried and True Recommended by 5 Professionals
Species Native to Missouri
Common Name: rattlesnake master
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Apiaceae
Zone: 3 to 8
Native Range: United States
Garden Location: Kemper Cutting Garden, Lois Whiteside Franklin Flower Trial Garden, Kemper Low Maintenance Garden, Lucy and Stanley Lopata Prairie Garden, Suzanne Stagg Wright Rock Garden
Height: 4 to 5 feet
Spread: 2 to 3 feet
Bloom Time: June to September
Bloom Color: Green, White
Bloom Description: Greenish-white
Sun: Full sun
Water: Dry to medium
Maintenance: Low
Flowers: Showy Flowers
Tolerates: Clay Soil, Dry Soil, Shallow, Rocky Soil, Drought
Uses: Erosion Control

Culture

Easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soils in full sun. Prefers dryish, sandy soils. Self-seeds in optimum growing conditions. Plants tend to open up and sprawl if grown in overly fertile soils or in anything less than full sun. This is a taprooted plant which transplants poorly and is best left undisturbed once established.

Noteworthy Characteristics

Rattlesnake-master (also commonly called button snake-root) is a Missouri native plant which occurs in rocky woods, prairies and glades throughout the State and was a common plant of the tallgrass prairie. Most members of the parsley/carrot family (Apiaceae) have finely cut foliage and flowers in domed umbels. Not so with rattlesnake-master which features basal rosettes of parallel-veined, bristly-edged, sword-shaped, medium green leaves (to 3' long) resembling those of yucca (lily family) and tiny, stemless, greenish-white flowers tightly packed into globular, 1" diameter heads resembling thistles (composite family). Flower heads appear in branched clusters at the top of smooth stiff stems typically rising to 3-4' (less frequently to 5-6') tall from the centers of the rosettes. Flower heads are subtended by whitish, pointed bracts. Common name is in reference to a former use of this plant as a treatment for rattlesnake bite.

Plant of Merit

Tiny, stemless, greenish-white flowers tightly packed into globular heads. Flowers resemble thistle blooms in clusters atop stiff stems to 3-4 feet tall. Flower stems rise from the center of a basal rosette of parallel-veined, bristly-edged, sword-shaped leaves. Once a common plant of the tallgrass prairie, this Missouri native perennial continues to enchant growers with its atypical parsley/carrot family features. It is easily grown in dryish, sandy soils in sunny locations protected from strong winds.

Problems

No serious insect or disease problems. Taller plants may need support, however staking of these substantial plants in a cosmetically acceptable manner can be difficult. Massing plants in naturalized areas where they can provide some support to each other may be the best solution for this problem.

Garden Uses

Native plant gardens, naturalized areas or prairies. Also can be effective in borders.

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