Alternate name: Button Snakeroot, Button Eryngo

Family: Apiaceae, Carrot view all from this family

Description Native perennial. Height: to 6 ft. Habit: grass-like, usually unbranched except at top, entire plant grey-green or grey-blue. Leaf: narrow, spiny, yucca-like; linear-lanceolate, parallel veins, length from 1/2 inch up to 3 ft, width 1/2 to 1 inch. Flower: dense conical heads, 1/2 to 1 inch diameter, greenish-white or bluish-white.

Flower May-August.

Flower July - August

Habitat Well-drained sandy or loamy soils. Native habitat is tallgrass prairie of central North America.

Range North America, ranging east to Connecticut, south to Florida, west to Nebraska, and north to Minnesota.

Discussion This species is a prairie indicator in the midwest. Used by some Native Americans used its root as an antidote for rattlesnake venom. Also known as: Button snake-root, button erygno.

Comments Rattlesnake master can be an aggressive self-seeder. Remove seed heads to keep the plant in check.

Exposure Preference Sun.

Native Distribution Florida to coastal & blackland prairies in Texas, n. to New Jersey, w. Indiana, s. Minnesota & Nebraska

Site Preference Prairies; sandy roadsides; open woods

Soil Preference Various well-drained soils.