Nabalus altissimus
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Prenanthes altissima
- Phonetic Spelling
- na-buh-lus al-TISS-ih-mus
- Description
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Rattlesnake Root is a perennial wildflower and herb. Its leaves that emerge in the spring are often deeply lobed or with indistinct spear-like lobes at the bases. The leaves at the base attach to the stem as a long stalk-like structure. Somewhat resembling a stalk of celery. The upper leaves are progressively smaller in size, less lobed and have shorter stalks.
It can typically be found growing along stream banks, wet and bottomland forests, bluffs, shaded ravines, swamps, seeps, sandy woodlands. Sugar Maple, American Basswood and American Beech are often present as canopy trees in the growing areas.
Deer will browse, preferring this plant over others.
- 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:
- Nabalus
- Species:
- altissimus
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Life Cycle:
- Biennial
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Eastern Canada to U.S.A
- Wildlife Value:
- Bumblebees suck nectar from the flower heads and cross-pollinate them. Halictid bees, beetles and other insects feed on the pollen but do not pollinate.
- Play Value:
- Attracts Pollinators
- Shade
- Textural
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Wildflower
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- Seeds with white tufts of hair.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Trumpet
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- 6 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- A cluster of 5 to 6 nodding, greenish-white or yellow, trumpet-shaped flowers. A series of short, smooth bracts tops a series of longer bracts.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Dentate
- Entire
- Lobed
- Undulate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves vary in shape, they may be triangular, heart-shaped, lobed or entire. Has milky sap in stems and leaves. Orange-brown tufts of hairs. The leaves yellow with age.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Purple/Lavender
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Erect greenish-purplish.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Slope/Bank
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Shade Garden
- Design Feature:
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Predatory Insects
