Eryngium yuccifolium – Rattlesnake Master, Button Eryngo, Button Snakeroot, Beargrass

General Information: A US native tall grass prairie plant. Rattlesnake Master has globular blossoms which emerge in late summer. They resemble greenish-white thistle flowers. Adding to the plant’s Thistle-like appearance are the leaves, which are stiff, waxy, long, narrow, and bristly. Their native range spans the region where warm-season tall grass prairies once occurred, from Minnesota to Texas in the Midwest, East to Connecticut and Florida. Their presence in the wild indicates a healthy prairie ecosystem, as they are rather intolerant of human disturbance. As is true with many other prairie plants, their flowers are highly attractive to pollinators while their foliage and seeds are attractive to wildlife for protection and food. The plants add winter interest, and provide habitat for overwintering insects, but can be pruned back in winter if desired. The dry flowers make a great addition to a dry flower bouquet. A superb specimen plant in tough, dry soils, and an ideal addition to any prairie restoration project. The plant has many medicinal uses amongst Indigenous Peoples and is also an ideal source of cordage.

Cultivation Details:  This sun-loving plant requires full sun! Rattlesnake Master is drought tolerant, and performs well in most dry, sunny sites. The flowers are in bloom from July to September. Indigenous to prairies, Pinelands, and sandy open woods. This plant is resistant to deer and other herbivores. These plants have very deep taproots and resent root disturbance. They should be planted when small in a permanent location. They should be watered weekly until fully established. These plants are self-fertile. If given the proper conditions, the plant will re-seed.

Growing Requirements: Plant in full sun. Prefers partially moist to dry, well-drained soils. Plants tend to develop root rot in rich or consistently moist soils. Prefers sandy soils, but will tolerate loamy or clay soils as long as they are well-drained. Commonly found in acidic soils, but tolerates neutral and slightly alkaline soils as well.

Fun Facts: The common name “Rattlesnake Master” was attributed to this plant by settlers for the wide variety of medicinal applications that Indigenous Peoples employed the plant for, including as a snakebite remedy. The species name “yuccifolium” refers to the leaves, which resemble Yucca.