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Bitter Snakeroot Eryngium aquaticum

Phonetic Spelling
er-RIN-jee-um a-KWA-ti-kum
Description

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:
Tags:
#evergreen#showy flowers#water garden#rain garden#white flowers#native perennial#native bees#medicinal#low maintenance#interesting leaves#wetlands#blue leaves#flower arrangements#low lying area#pond margins#herbaceous#NC native#perennial flowers#deer resistant#herbaceous perennial#naturalizes#border planting#cutting garden#short lifespan#dried arrangements#poor soils tolerant#NC Native Pollinator Plant#dry soils tolerant#partial shade tolerant#flood tolerant#bee friendly#drought intolerant#salt spray intolerant#shade intolerant#showy#perennial#aquatic#boggy sites#wildflower
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#showy flowers#water garden#rain garden#white flowers#native perennial#native bees#medicinal#low maintenance#interesting leaves#wetlands#blue leaves#flower arrangements#low lying area#pond margins#herbaceous#NC native#perennial flowers#deer resistant#herbaceous perennial#naturalizes#border planting#cutting garden#short lifespan#dried arrangements#poor soils tolerant#NC Native Pollinator Plant#dry soils tolerant#partial shade tolerant#flood tolerant#bee friendly#drought intolerant#salt spray intolerant#shade intolerant#showy#perennial#aquatic#boggy sites#wildflower
  • 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.
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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'.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Cross Section:
    Angular
    Stem Form:
    Straight
    Stem Description:
    Stiff, upright, ribbed, and branched stems.
  • 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