| Rattlesnakemaster | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Eryngium aquaticum [1] | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Apiales |
| Family: | Apiaceae |
| Genus: | Eryngium |
| Species: | E. aquaticum |
| Binomial name | |
| Eryngium aquaticum | |
| Synonyms [3] | |
| |
Eryngium aquaticum is a species of flowering plant in the family Apiaceae known by the common name rattlesnakemaster, [4] marsh rattlesnake master, [2] corn-snakeroot, bitter snakeroot, and marsh eryngo. [5] This plant is native to eastern North America. [2]
This biennial or perennial herb grows up to 2 meters (6 ft 7 in) 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 (35 in) long by 9 cm (3.5 in) wide. The inflorescence contains white to blue flower heads with spiny, blue-tinged bracts. [5]
In the wild this plant grows in wet soils, such as those by bogs, marshes, and ditches. It tolerates saturated soils and periodic flooding. [5]
This plant had a number of medicinal uses for Native American groups. The Cherokee people used it for nausea. [6] The Choctaw people used it as a remedy for snakebite and gonorrhea, and the Delaware people used it for intestinal worms. [6] Many groups made it into tea to treat gastrointestinal complaints. The Koasati attributed magical powers to the plant. [4]
This plant is used in flower arranging and as an ornamental garden plant. [5] However, most plants sold under the name E. aquaticum are actually specimens of Eryngium yuccifolium . [5] [7]