Rattlesnake Root
Prenanthes altissimus
Family: Asteraceae or Compositae
What it is like
Prenanthes altissimus is a PERENNIAL growing to 1.8 m (6ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) or semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers moist soil.
Height (m): 1.8
Where it is found
Moist woods.
Eastern N. America - southwards from Quebec.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 0
Medicine
Rating: 1
The plant is used as a poultice. A poultice of the crushed roots has been used to treat rattlesnake bites.
Antidote: Counters poisoning.
Poultice: A moist, usually warm or hot, mass of plant material applied to the skin in the treatment of burns etc.
Other
Rating:
How it is grown
Requires a moist but well-drained humus-rich neutral to acid soil in shade or semi-shade. Suitable for naturalizing in the wild garden.
Propagating it: Seed - sow early spring in a cold frame and only just cover the seed. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out into their permanent positions in the summer if they have grown enough. If not, grow them on in a cold frame for their first winter and plant them out the following spring after the last expected frosts. Division in spring.
Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; not Deep Shade;
Habit: Perennial
Hardiness: 4-8
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: Full shade, semi-shade
Moisture: Moist