Snakeroot Ageratina
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Snakeroot:
Previously known as:
- Eupatorium
- Phonetic Spelling
- ad-jur-uh-TY-nuh
- This plant has high severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Snakeroot is a genus of more than 330 perennials and shrubs in the aster family (Asteraceae) native to warmer regions of the West Indies and the Americas. However, white snakeroot is native to the eastern portions of the USA. They are often found in rich woodland edges. The Genus name is Greek meaning 'un-aging', referring to the flowers keeping their color for a long time.
They can grow from 1 to 5 feet tall and be sparse to dense in form in full sun to partial shade in various well-drained soils. Spread is by rhizomes and seeds.
Most species have showy clusters of white to pinkish flowers and leaves can have a foul smell. Keep in mind these plants are poisonous to humans and horses. Even drinking milk from cows that have eaten the plant can cause nausea.
The native species can be grown in NC and used in the woodland garden, pollinator garden, along a pond or stream, in the border or as a specimen.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems. Some species have become invasive in CA and HI.
- 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
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Native Americans used the roots to treat snake bites.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Americas, West Indies
- Wildlife Value:
- Attract pollinators, deer resistant
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Perennial
- Poisonous
- Wildflower
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Multi-stemmed
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- 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
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
- Fruit Description:
- Achenes are usually 5-ribbed
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Corymb
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Tubular
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Head of 15 to 30 tubular, white flowers in a dense, flat-topped cluster. Composite flowers without rays.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Lanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Denticulate
- Entire
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are mostly opposite with a few having distal alternate leaves. Margins can be smooth to toothed, bases can be triangular, rhombic or oval. Leaf surface can be glabrous, hairy or gland-dotted.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Cream/Tan
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Round
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Green to tan multi-branched stems can be dense to sparse.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Naturalized Area
- Pond
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Cottage Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
- Problem for Children
- Problem for Horses
- Weedy
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Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- High
- Poison Symptoms:
- Drinking milk from cows that have eaten these plants can cause vomiting. The plant is highly toxic if eaten and may be fatal if eaten. Toxicity is characterized by weakness, nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting, delirium, cardiac damage, prostration and eventually, coma.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Tremetone, a ketone, and glycosides
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- No
- Poison Part:
- Flowers
- Leaves
- Sap/Juice
- Stems
