Description

White Snakeroot Soil: Mesic (Medium) Sun: Part to Shade Height: 1.5′-3′ Color: White Bloom: July-August Flowers: Each 1/5″ flower head is made up of many white 5 lobed disk flowers. Each flower will produce a single seed. Leaves: The opposite leaves have a leaf stem (petiole) and strong veins. They are ovate and have serrated edges.

Suggested Uses:

This plant needs room as it will reseed profusely! It is a very useful restoration plant for partly shaded sites. It has numerous showy, white flower clusters in the fall!

Interesting Facts:

Medicinal Uses: “Native Americans used a tea made from the roots to relieve diarrhea, painful urination, fevers, and kidney stones. It was also burned to revive unconscious patients. ” Food Uses: Milk produced by cows that have eaten White Snakeroot can be toxic. It is thought that “milk sickness” from this plant caused the death of Abraham Lincoln’s mother. Other Uses: More Information: Can be aggressive in gardens. Name: Plants growing in the shade are often called “snake” for they were thought to harbor snakes. It also may have been considered a treatment for snake bites.