Rattlesnake Master
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Eryngium yuccifolium
A typical tallgrass prairie plant, Eryngium yuccifolium, is commonly known as rattlesnake-master or button snake-root. It grows in rocky woods, prairies, and meadows. Most parsley/carrots (Apiaceae) have finely cut foliage and domed umbels of flowers. On the other hand, the rattlesnake master has leaves with parallel veins, bristly edges, sword shapes, medium green, resembling yuccas (lily family), and tiny, stemless white flowers in globular heads shaped like thistles.
Typically 3-4 feet tall from the centers of the rosettes, the flower heads appear in branched clusters at the top of smooth, stiff stems. They are covered with whitish, pointed bracts. Butterflies and other insects love the blooms.
This plant grows on average in dry to medium, well-drained soils in full sun. Prefers dryish, sandy soils—self-seeds in optimum growing conditions. Plants open up and sprawl if grown in overly fertile soils or less than full sun. This tap-rooted plant transplants poorly and is best left undisturbed once established.
The common name "rattlesnake master" is attributed to early European pioneers erroneously believing the plant to be an antidote for rattlesnake venom based upon Native Americans' various medicinal uses of the plant. The species name yuccifolium "yucca-leaved" was given because its leaves resemble those of yuccas.
Larval Host Plant: Stem Borer Moth (Papaipema eryngii), Flower Feeding Moth (Coleotechnites eryngiella)
Nectar Source Plant: Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus), Viceroy Butterfly ( Limenitis archippus), Hairstreaks Butterflies (Theclinae spp.), Crescent Butterflies (Phyciodes spp.), Sulphur Butterflies (Colias spp.), and various Fritillary Butterflies.
Height: 4’-5'
Spread 2’-3'
Bloom: June-September
Light: Full Sun, Part Shade
Water: Low
Zone: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Origin: North America
Winter Shipping: We will continue to ship throughout winter. If you prefer, we are happy to hold your order until spring; please include that request in your shipping notes.
When you order plants from our nursery, you can expect them to arrive in the best possible condition. Our team carefully packs each order using sturdy, biodegradable packaging materials.
Your plants' appearance may vary depending on the season and their current growth stage. We may cut back the leafy growth of some plants to prepare them for shipment and transplanting.
5 Gallon and Up: Any plant purchased to ship over 5 Gallons will be shipped bare root. This means we will remove the plant from its original pot, remove the soil surrounding the roots, and wrap the roots with a biodegradable plastic bag. This reduces weight and the likelihood of damage during shipping.
Once your plants arrive, it is essential to plant them as soon as possible. This will help them rebound and thrive. If you cannot plant immediately, water regularly and keep the roots off heat-conducting surfaces.
Newly transplanted plants often require more water until their roots are well established. Plan to water them 1-3 times weekly for the first few months.
