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| ## rattlesnake-master {#rattlesnake-master .Title-Header}             |
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| *Eryngium aquaticum* L.                                               |
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| Plant Symbol = ERAQ                                                   |
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*Contributed by: USDA NRCS National Plant Data Center*

![](media/image2.jpeg){width="2.801388888888889in"
height="4.197916666666667in"}

##### Alternate Names

Corn-snakeroot, bitter snakeroot, marsh eryngo, sea holly

##### Uses

*Ethnobotanic*: The Cherokee, Choctaw, Koasati and other Southwestern
Native American tribes used a tea made from the plants to treat "stomach
disorders." The root was chewed for stomachache. An infusion, made from
the roots, was used to cause vomiting for nausea, as a powerful
expectorant to clear the lungs, and a diuretic. The root was used as a
stimulant as well as an "anti-poison" to treat snakebite. The Choctaw
used the plant to treat gonorrhea. The Alabama and Koasati tribes used
the plant ceremonially as well as medicinally. The Koasati believed the
plant to contain magical powers, which could kill an enemy merely by
striking him with it. The roots are collected in the autumn. Some Native
Americans still use the plant today.

*Other*: The unique shape and color of rattlesnakemaster flower sprays
make them an unusual addition to fresh and dried flower arrangements.
For best results, cut the flowers before they open completely.

##### Status

Please consult the PLANTS Web site and your State Department of Natural
Resources for this plant's current status (e.g. threatened or endangered
species, state noxious status, and wetland indicator values).

##### Description

######## General: Carrot or parsley family (Apiaceae, formerly Umbelliferae). These hardy, perennial or biennial herbs, resembling a cross between a yucca and a thistle, can be a little over a meter to two meters tall. The solitary, erect stem has parallel ribs and branches near the top, ending in globe-shaped flowers. The stem has alternate leaves, which are narrow, lance-shaped and pinnately veined. The broad, stiff basal leaves (20-90cm long, 9cm wide), are usually absent at the time of flowering. Leaves can be slightly toothed along the edges. The plants flower from spring to fall. The white to blue flower heads are 1-1.5 cm with 2mm-long flower petals. Spiny, bluish, leaflike bracts extend beyond the flowering heads giving them an unusual appearance. Fruits are short and oblong, from 2 to 4mm, with scales. 

*Distribution*: For current distribution, please consult the Plant
Profile page for this species on the PLANTS Web site.

*Habitat*: The species grows in wet soils, along waters edges in fresh
to brackish marshes, low woods, meadows, bogs, swamps and ditches.

##### Adaptation

*E. aquaticum* is adapted to marshy or seasonally flooded areas. It
grows in soils that are regularly saturated to irregularly inundated.

##### Establishment

Both the sword-shaped foliage and the unusual flowers of
Rattlesnakemaster make them a unique and beautiful sculptural addition
to the garden. Plants may be propagated from seed or by transplanting
purchased container-grown plants. To collect your own seeds, gather the
flower heads after they have turned brown and dried upon the plant. Sow
seeds in the fall. The plants like moist, rich, light soils in sunny
locations. For heavy soils, add compost before planting. Take care to
select a place where the plants can remain as the root system dislikes
disturbance. The plants may be propagated by carefully divided them in
the spring. Root cuttings can be taken in the winter.

##### Pests and Potential Problems

*E. aquaticum* is susceptible to tobacco mild green mosaic tobamovirus

##### Cultivars, Improved, and Selected Materials (and area of origin) 

##### Most of the material cultured under this name is 

##### *E. yuccifolium,* which is adapted to drier habitats*.* These plant materials are somewhat available from commercial sources. Aquatic nurseries can be a good source for these plants.

Contact your local Natural Resources Conservation Service (formerly Soil
Conservation Service) office for more information. Look in the phone
book under "United States Government." The Natural Resources
Conservation Service will be listed under the subheading "Department of
Agriculture."

##### References

Bailey, L.H. & E.Z. Bailey 1976. *Hortus Third: A concise dictionary of
plants cultivated in the United States and Canada*. Simon and Schuster
Macmillan Co., New York, New York. 1290 pp.

Botany Com. 2001. *The encyclopedia of plants*: Eryngium. J.L. Clairmont
Holdings Inc.

<http://www.botany.com/eryngium.html>. (May 19, 2001).

Brunt, A.A., Crabtree, K., Dallwitz, M.J., Gibbs, A.J., Watson, L. &
Zurcher, E.J. (eds.) 1996. *Plant Viruses Online: Descriptions and Lists
from the VIDE Database. Version: 20th August 1996*. Also, Dallwitz
(1980) and Dallwitz, Paine and Zurcher (1993)
<http://biology.anu.edu.au/Groups/MES/vide/>. (May 19, 2001).

Campbell, T.N. 1951. Medicinal plants used by Choctaw, Chickasaw, and
Creek Indians in the early nineteenth century. Journal of the Washington
Academy of Sciences 41: 285-290.

Center for New Crops & Plant Products, at Purdue University 1998.
*Button Snake-root*. From Sievers, A.F. 1930. *The Herb Hunters Guide.
Misc. Publ. No. 77*. USDA, Washington DC.
http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/herbhunters/buttonsnakeroot.html.
(May 19, 2001).

Cullina, W. 2000. *The New England Wild Flower Society guide to growing
and propagating wildflowers in the United States and Canada*. Houghton
Mifflin Company, New York, New York. 322 pp.

Duncan, W. H. & L.E. Foote 1975. *Wildflowers of the Southeastern United
States.* University of Georgia Press, Athens, Georgia. 296 pp.

Godfrey, R.K. & J.W. Wooten 1979. *Aquatic and wetland plants of
Southeastern United States*. Vol 2. University of Georgia Press, Athens,
Georgia. 933 pp.

Greene, W.F. & H.L. Blomquist 1953. *Flowers of the South: Native and
Exotic*. University of North Carolina Press. Chapel Hill, North
Carolina. 208 pp.

Mellow Marsh Farms. 2001. *Mellow Marsh Farm plant list*.

<http://www.mellowmarshfarm.com/MMF95-2_xls.pdf> (May 19, 2001).

Moerman, D.E. 1998 *Native American ethnobotany*. Timber Press,
Portland, Oregon. 927 pp.

Small, J.K. 1933. *Manual of Southeastern flora*. University of North
Carolina Press, Chapel Hill, North Carolina. 1554 pp.

Smith, A.I. 1979. *A guide to wildflowers of the Mid-south*. Memphis
State University Press, Memphis, Tennessee. 281 pp

Taylor, L.A. 1940. *Plants used as curatives by certain Southeastern
Tribes*. Botanical Museum of Harvard University, Cambridge,
Massachusetts. 88 pp.

Tiner, R.W. 1993. *Field guide to coastal wetland plants of the
Southeastern United States*. University of Massachusetts Press, Amherst.
328 pp.

##### Prepared By: 

##### *Diana L. Immel*

##### Formerly USDA, NRCS, National Plant Data Center, c/o Environmental Horticulture Department, University of California, Davis, California

##### Species Coordinator: 

##### *M. Kat Anderson*

##### USDA, NRCS, National Plant Data Center, c/o Plant Science Department, University of California, Davis, California

##### 

##### Edited: 29May2001 jsp; 19may03 ahv; 05jun06 jsp

For more information about this and other plants, please contact your
local NRCS field office or Conservation District, and visit the PLANTS
Web site\<[http://plants.usda.gov](http://plants.usda.gov/)\> or the
Plant Materials Program Web site
\<[http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov](http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov/)\>

*The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in
all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national
origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual
orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases
apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require
alternative means for communication of program information (Braille,
large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA\'s [TARGET
Center](http://www.usda.gov/oo/target.htm) at 202-720-2600 (voice and
TDD).*

*To file a complaint of discrimination write USDA, Director, Office of
Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence
Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call 202-720-5964 (voice or
TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.*

*Read about [Civil Rights at the Natural Resources Convervation
Service](http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/about/civilrights/).*