Beautiful native plant or noxious weed? Sometimes, the
distinction between the two is obscure. That’s definitely the case when it
comes to white snakeroot plants (Ageratina altissima syn. Eupatorium
rugosum). A member of the sunflower family, snakeroot is a tall growing
native plant of North America. With its delicate clusters of brilliant white
blooms, it’s one of the longest lasting flowers in the fall. Yet, this
beautiful native plant is an unwelcome guest in livestock and horse fields.
White Snakeroot Facts
White snakeroot plants have coarse toothed, round-based
leaves with pointed tips that grow opposite each other on erect stems that
reach 3 feet (1 m.) tall. The stems branch at the top where white clusters of
flowers bloom from summer through fall.
Snakeroot prefers moist, shady areas and is often found along roadsides, woods, fields, thickets, and under powerline clearances.
Historically, snakeroot plant uses included teas and
poultices made from the roots. The name snakeroot came from the belief that a
root poultice was a cure for snakebites. Additionally, it was rumored that
smoke from burning fresh snakeroot leaves was able to revive the
unconscious. Due to its toxicity, using
snakeroot for medicinal purposes is not recommended.
White Snakeroot Toxicity
The leaves and stems of white snakeroot plants contain
tremetol, a fat-soluble toxin that not only poisons the livestock consuming it
but also passes into the milk of lactating animals. Nursing young as well as
humans consuming milk from contaminated animals can be affected. The toxin is
highest in green growing plants but remains poisonous after frost strikes the
plant and when dried in hay.
Toxicity from consuming contaminated milk was epidemic in
colonial times when backyard farming practices prevailed. With modern
commercialization of milk production, this risk is virtually nonexistent, as
the milk of many cows is mixed to the point of diluting tremetol to subclinical
levels. However, white snakeroot growing in pastures and hay fields remains a
threat for grazing animals.
Snakeroot Plant Care
That being said, many flowers prized as ornamentals contain poisonous toxins and shouldn’t be consumed by people or pets. Having white snakeroot growing in your flowerbeds is no different than cultivating datura moonflowers or foxglove. This shade-loving perennial is attractive in cottage and rock gardens in addition to naturalized areas. Its long-lasting flowers attract bees, butterflies, and moths.
White snakeroot plants are easily cultivated from seed,
which is available online. Upon maturity, these cigar-shaped brown or black
seeds have white silk-parachute tails which encourages wind dispersal. When
growing snakeroot in home gardens, it’s advisable to remove spent flower heads
before they release their seeds to prevent widespread distribution.
Snakeroot prefers a rich, organic medium with an alkaline pH
level, but can grow in a variety of soils. Plants can also propagate by
underground stems (rhizomes) resulting in clusters of white snakeroot plants.
The best time to divide root clumps is early spring.
Beautiful native plant or noxious weed? Sometimes, the
distinction between the two is obscure. That’s definitely the case when it
comes to white snakeroot plants (Ageratina altissima syn. Eupatorium
rugosum). A member of the sunflower family, snakeroot is a tall growing
native plant of North America. With its delicate clusters of brilliant white
blooms, it’s one of the longest lasting flowers in the fall. Yet, this
beautiful native plant is an unwelcome guest in livestock and horse fields.
White Snakeroot Facts
White snakeroot plants have coarse toothed, round-based
leaves with pointed tips that grow opposite each other on erect stems that
reach 3 feet (1 m.) tall. The stems branch at the top where white clusters of
flowers bloom from summer through fall.
Snakeroot prefers moist, shady areas and is often found along roadsides, woods, fields, thickets, and under powerline clearances.
Historically, snakeroot plant uses included teas and
poultices made from the roots. The name snakeroot came from the belief that a
root poultice was a cure for snakebites. Additionally, it was rumored that
smoke from burning fresh snakeroot leaves was able to revive the
unconscious. Due to its toxicity, using
snakeroot for medicinal purposes is not recommended.
White Snakeroot Toxicity
The leaves and stems of white snakeroot plants contain
tremetol, a fat-soluble toxin that not only poisons the livestock consuming it
but also passes into the milk of lactating animals. Nursing young as well as
humans consuming milk from contaminated animals can be affected. The toxin is
highest in green growing plants but remains poisonous after frost strikes the
plant and when dried in hay.
Toxicity from consuming contaminated milk was epidemic in
colonial times when backyard farming practices prevailed. With modern
commercialization of milk production, this risk is virtually nonexistent, as
the milk of many cows is mixed to the point of diluting tremetol to subclinical
levels. However, white snakeroot growing in pastures and hay fields remains a
threat for grazing animals.
Snakeroot Plant Care
That being said, many flowers prized as ornamentals contain poisonous toxins and shouldn’t be consumed by people or pets. Having white snakeroot growing in your flowerbeds is no different than cultivating datura moonflowers or foxglove. This shade-loving perennial is attractive in cottage and rock gardens in addition to naturalized areas. Its long-lasting flowers attract bees, butterflies, and moths.
White snakeroot plants are easily cultivated from seed,
which is available online. Upon maturity, these cigar-shaped brown or black
seeds have white silk-parachute tails which encourages wind dispersal. When
growing snakeroot in home gardens, it’s advisable to remove spent flower heads
before they release their seeds to prevent widespread distribution.
Snakeroot prefers a rich, organic medium with an alkaline pH
level, but can grow in a variety of soils. Plants can also propagate by
underground stems (rhizomes) resulting in clusters of white snakeroot plants.
The best time to divide root clumps is early spring.