U
of I Extension
Illinois Wildflowers: Rattlesnake Master
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[July 08, 2020]
When a plant has “rattlesnake” in its name, there
has to be a story behind it. There are at least three plants native
to Illinois that do: Rattlesnake Plantain (Goodyera pubescens),
Rattlesnake Root, also known as Rough White Lettuce (Prenanthes
aspera), and Rattlesnake Master (Eryngium yuccifolium). |
Rattlesnake Master is planted in several public
gardens in the Springfield area. Gardens include U of I Extension
Prairie to Perennial garden, Native Wildflower garden at Lincoln
Memorial Garden, and the Dana-Thomas House in both the Cottage
Butterfly Garden and the Courtyard.
Rattlesnake Master grows best in full sun with slightly moist to dry
conditions. The bluish-green leaves of the plant are up to 2 feet
long, with pointed tips and small teeth along the margins,
resembling those of yucca, hence the Latin name.
These tough, fibrous leaves were woven into shoes by
Native Americans. The Mesquakies used the leaves and flowers in
their rattlesnake medicine song and dance. The roots were used for a
variety of ailments.
Rattlesnake master can grow to 2 to 5 feet tall and is found in
prairies and open woods throughout the state, blooming in July and
August.
The flowers are tightly packed into thistle-like
round heads. Whitish bracts stick out from the flower heads, giving
a prickly appearance and feel. The greenish-white thistle like
nectar producing flowers are attractive to many types of insects
including bees, butterflies, beetles and moths. Blooms appear in
mid-summer and the seedheads remain attractive for several months.
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![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2020/Jul/08/images/ads/current/graue_20Envision_070620.png)
The plant is from the carrot/parsley family, so
Eastern Black Swallowtail butterflies may lay their eggs on the
leaves.
For more information visit Illinois Wildflowers
website
Sources:
Illinois Wildflower by Don Kurz, copyright 2004 and 2014 by Tim Ernst Publishing
Prairie Plants of Illinois by John W. Voight and Robert H. Mohlenbrock, printed
by the State of Illinois Department of Conservation
The Tallgrass Prairie Center Guide to Seed and Seedling Identification by Dave
Williams copyright 2010 by the Tallgrass Prairie Center
[Susan Shaw, University of Illinois
Extension Master Naturalist volunteer]
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