Eryngium yuccifolium
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- er-RIN-jee-um yuk-ki-FOH-lee-um
- Description
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Beargrass, or rattlesnake master, is an herbaceous perennial in the Apiaceae (carrot) family. It is native to open woodlands and tall grass prairies of the central United States and is also distributed across many eastern states. The genus name Eryngium comes from the Greek for a thorny or prickly plant, and yuccifolium refers to the leaves, which resemble yucca leaves. The common name may refer to previous medicinal use by Native Americans, although not necessarily for rattlesnake bites. It may grow 4 to 5 feet tall and spread 2 to 3 feet wide.
This plant does best when planted in full sun and in moist, well-drained soil. Although it adapts well to many soil types, including shallow rocky soils, it prefers dry, loamy sand with little organic matter. Propagate this plant through seed or divide plants in late spring or early fall. It will self seed in optimal conditions.
The stiff upright stems of this plant hold striking flower heads, and the unusual clumping foliage adds interest, providing coarse texture in the landscape. The flowers attract many beneficial insects to the garden.
This plant works well in the middle of perennial borders or planted in small groups in open woodlands, naturalized areas, and pollinator gardens. Because the plant is tolerant of wet soils, it may be ideal for a water garden or pond planting. The flowers are attractive fresh or dried and make an interesting addition to a cutting garden. Leaving the plants uncut through the winter will add interest to any landscape. Choose a location carefully since the leaves end in stiff spines that could be unpleasant if planted near a walkway.
This plant was selected as the 2016 NC Wildflower of the Year, a program managed by the North Carolina Botanical Garden with some financial support from the Garden Club of North Carolina.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Moles and voles feed on the crowns, especially in winter. The stems may fall over and need to be staked if the plant is grown in rich soil or in too much shade.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscapes:
- Pinehurst Greenway Pollinator Habitat Garden, Moore County Crowder Park Prairie and Native Plants Garden
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- var. synchaetum
Coastal plain and wet savannas southeastern NC to FL - var. yuccifolium
Found in open sites and prairies with some moisture
- var. synchaetum
- var. synchaetum, var. yuccifolium
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- var. synchaetum
Coastal plain and wet savannas southeastern NC to FL - var. yuccifolium
Found in open sites and prairies with some moisture
- var. synchaetum
- var. synchaetum, var. yuccifolium
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Eryngium
- Species:
- yuccifolium
- Family:
- Apiaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- The sap and roots were used in traditional medicine. Native Americans used the leaves to weave baskets and sandals.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- U. S. native
- Wildlife Value:
- Attracts pollinator insects including wasps, flies, bees, and butterflies like monarchs and skippers. Soilder beetles eat the pollen. The rattle snake master stem-borer moth Papaipema eryngii) uses the plant as a larval host.
- Play Value:
- Attracts Pollinators
- Wildlife Food Source
- Dimensions:
- Height: 4 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Perennial
- Wildflower
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Erect
- Texture:
- Coarse
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Fruit Type:
- Schizocarp
- Fruit Description:
- 1/4" long brown seeds 2 per fruit.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Blue
- Green
- White
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Good Cut
- Good Dried
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- The white, small dense (acorn, button, or ball shaped) flowers are composed of many tiny parts, tightly packed in globular heads 1 inch across and grouped in clumps of 8-10. Individual flowers have 5 white petals, 5 white stamens with brown anthers, a pistil with two white styles. They have a sweet honey-like smell and attract pollinators. They bloom from June to August and turn from a green white to a blue color at maturity.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Blue
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Prickly
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Rosulate
- Leaf Shape:
- Linear
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are long and narrow, looking similar to a corn stalk or tulip leaf with parallel veins even though this plant is a dicot. The margins have filiform or spiny teeth.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Stems that hold the flowers have an opposite arrangement grow 3 to 4 feet tall from the center of the rosette of leaves and resemble a pitchfork.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Pond
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Native Garden
- Nighttime Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Water Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Moths
- Pollinators
- Predatory Insects
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Rabbits
- Wet Soil
- Problems:
- Spines/Thorns
