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White Snakeroot Ageratina

Other Common Name(s):

Other plants called White Snakeroot:

Phonetic Spelling
ad-jur-uh-TY-nuh
Description

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:
Tags:
#showy flowers#white flowers#fall interest#perennial flowers#summer flowers#deer resistant#pollinator plant#partial shade tolerant#problem for cattle#perennial#weed#wildflower#woodland
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#white flowers#fall interest#perennial flowers#summer flowers#deer resistant#pollinator plant#partial shade tolerant#problem for cattle#perennial#weed#wildflower#woodland
  • 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
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Perennial
    Wildflower
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Multi-stemmed
    Rounded
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Achene
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Coastal
    Naturalized Area
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Pollinator Garden
    Shade Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Attracts:
    Pollinators
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Problems:
    Weedy