White Snakeroot Ageratina
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called White Snakeroot:
- Phonetic Spelling
- ad-jur-uh-TY-nuh
- Description
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Snakeroot is a genus of more than 330 perennials and shrubs in the family Asteraceae. The are primarily found in warmer regions of the West Indies and the Americas. However, White Snakeroot is native to the eastern portions of the USA in zones 3-8. It is the principal cause of "milk sickness," which is transmitted to humans through the milk of cattle that have eaten it.
Most species have showy clusters of white to pinkish flowers and spread by seeds and rhizomes. The leaves can have a foul smell. They are often found in partly shady conditions as along a woodland edge.
Season: Summer, fall
Site: Rich woods; partial shade
- 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
- Wildflower
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Multi-stemmed
- Rounded
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
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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:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Lanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Pairs of oval to lance-shaped leaves, 3 to 6 in. long and up to 3 inches wide with sharply toothed margins, heart-shaped base and tapered pointed tips.
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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
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Naturalized Area
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Pollinator Garden
- Shade Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Attracts:
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Problems:
- Weedy
