Eryngium aquaticum

rattlesnakemaster
Eryngium aquaticum[1]
Conservation status
Apparently Secure  (NatureServe)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Asterids
Order:	Apiales
Family:	Apiaceae
Genus:	Eryngium
Species:	E. aquaticum
Binomial name
Eryngium aquaticum L.

Eryngium aquaticum is a species of flowering plant in the carrot family known by the common name rattlesnakemaster,^[2] marsh rattlesnake master,^[3] corn-snakeroot, bitter snakeroot, and marsh eryngo.^[4] This plant is native to eastern North America.^[3]

This biennial or perennial herb grows up to 2 meters tall. The ribbed, erect stem branches toward the top. There are alternately arranged leaves which are lance-shaped and toothed on the edges. The basal leaves may be up to 90 centimeters long by 9 wide. The inflorescence contains white to blue flower heads with spiny, blue-tinged bracts.^[4]

In the wild this plant grows in wet soils, such as those by bogs, marshes, and ditches. It tolerates saturated soils and periodic flooding.^[4]

This plant had a number of medicinal uses for Native American groups. The Cherokee people used it for nausea.^[5] The Choctaw people used it as a remedy for snakebite and gonorrhea, and the Delaware people used it for intestinal worms.^[5] Many groups made it into tea to treat gastrointestinal complaints. The Koasati attributed magical powers to the plant.^[2]

This plant is used in flower arranging and as an ornamental garden plant.^[4] However, most plants sold under the name E. aquaticum are actually specimens of Eryngium yuccifolium.^[4][6]

References