Bitter Snakeroot Eryngium aquaticum
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- er-RIN-jee-um a-KWA-ti-kum
- Description
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Many of the common names for this plant are derived by its use by Native Americans as a treatment for snakebites.
This native wildflower grows naturally in bogs, marshes, ditches, swamps and wet areas, especially where limestone can be found near the surface. It can be found growing in coastal locations from New Jersey, south to Florida and west to Mississippi. It can grow in loamy soil in garden areas where water is adequately applied. It prefers wet soil but will tolerate dry and once established is quite drought tolerant. It grows in full sun to part shade with the more sprawling habit in fertile soil or in too much shade. Taller plants may need support. The interesting foliage and flowers are great in cut and dried arrangements and can make this a specimen plant in your garden. Or plant in groups in low spots, near water gardens, rain gardens, ponds, or in borders. It naturalizes easily through seed.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious issues. Overly fertile soils can lead to taller plants that can sprawl.
This plant does not tolerate root disturbance.
- 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:
- Eryngium
- Species:
- aquaticum
- Family:
- Apiaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Moist wildflower garden
- Life Cycle:
- Biennial
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Eastern North America
- Distribution:
- AL, DC DE, FL, GA, MD, MS, NC, NJ, NY, PA, SC, VA
- Wildlife Value:
- Native bees as well as other pollinators are attracted to the flowers.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 6 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Wildflower
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Coarse
- Appendage:
- Spines
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Frequent Standing Water
- Occasionally Dry
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- 3 feet-6 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Blue
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Head
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Good Cut
- Good Dried
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Dome
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Tiny white 5 parted florets (sometimes with a blue or purplish tinge) bloom in summer in tight, rounded, flower heads. The bloom near the top of the erect stems.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Blue
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Prickly
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Linear
- Oblong
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Its basal leaves are linear to oblong-lanceolate with entire to slightly toothed margins. Its upper leaves can be toothed to laciniate. Basal leaves can reach lengths of up to 3'.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Angular
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Description:
- Stiff, upright, ribbed, and branched stems.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Pond
- Riparian
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Cutting Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rain Garden
- Water Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Dry Soil
- Erosion
- Poor Soil
