NAME: RATTLESNAKE
MASTER Eryngium
yuccifolium
DESCRIPTION:
Leaf: Prickly-edged, parallel-veined, sword-like,
looking much like the yucca leaf.
Flower: Compact, globular heads of greenish white flowers up to 2.5
cm in diameter.
Present from early July to early September.
Stem: Height of one meter.
DISCUSSION:
This interesting prairie plant was once abundant, but
now is uncommon. The common name indicates the early settlers thought
this plant had use in treatment of rattlesnake bites. This was unfounded.
The plant can be dried and used in indoor winter decorations.
DISTRIBUTION:
Occurs in both prairies and woods from New Jersey to Minnesota, south to
Texas and Florida.
IMAGES:
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COPYRIGHT:
© Copyright 2002, L&T Natural
Images and Madsion Jr. High, all rights
reserved. Contact information: email at lcwik@naperville203.org
or tcoutts@naperville203.org
REFERENCES:
Mohlenbroch, Robert H., and John W. Voigt. Prairie Pants of
Illinois.
Springfield, Illinois: Illinois Department of Natural Resources, 1985.
Young, Dick. Kane County Wild Plants and Natural Areas. 2nd
ed. Geneva, Il:
Kane County Illinois Forest Preserve District, 1994.
Want more images of these and many other Prairie
Plants? Check out this site! Fermilabs "Particles
and Prairie" site.
Interested in restoring a prairie parcel of your own? Try this
one! Prairie
Parcel Restoration.
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Make your own map of Illinois at:
