Lesser Snakeroot Ageratina aromatica
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Eupatorium aromaticum
- Phonetic Spelling
- ah-jeh-rah-TEE-na ay-roh-MA-tee-kah
- Description
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Small-leaf white snakeroot is a native perennial in the aster (Asteraceae) family. It is found in the eastern and southern United States from LA to MA as far inland as KY and OH. It is found growing along the edges of woodlands, after fires and in disturbed areas such as roadsides, fences and edges of fields. In NC it is common in the coastal and Piedmont areas and rarer in the mountains. Ageratina is derived from the Greek meaning 'un-aging', in reference to the flowers keeping their color for a long time.
Small-leaf white snakeroot grows 2-3 feet tall and 1-3 feet wide. The white disc flowers appear in Aug. and continue through Oct. or Nov. attracting bees and butterflies. The green arrow-shaped leaves are fuzzy on both surfaces.
This plant will do well in a variety of soils as long as they are well-drained. It tolerates drought once established and prefers full sun to light shade. Use this plant in pollinator and native gardens, on slopes or at the edge of woodlands.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Ageratina
- Species:
- aromatica
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Has been used in herbal medicine
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Eastern and southern USA
- Distribution:
- AL, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, KY, LA, MA, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, SC, TN, VA, WV
- Wildlife Value:
- Flowers attract bees and butterflies
- Dimensions:
- Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Perennial
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Dry
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Achene is brown with white tufts of hair. Seeds are wind dispersed.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Head
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Tubular
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Flowers are white disc flowers only with no rays. There are 12-34 florets per flowerhead. Florets are tubular and 1/2 inch in size. The green bracts surrounding the flower head are hairy. Blooms Aug. through Oct or Nov.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Crenate
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Green leaves are 1-3.5 inches long and 1/2 to 2 inches wide. Margins are crenate and sometimes serrate. The tip is pointed and the base is wedge-shaped. Both surfaces have fuzzy hairs
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- Flower stems are wiry and have hairs
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Slope/Bank
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Dry Soil
