Prenanthes altissimus - Rattlesnake Root

Family:	Compositae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	1.8
Synonyms:
Range:	Eastern N. America - southwards from Quebec.

Prenanthes altissimus (Rattlesnake Root) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 1.8m . It has a hardness rating of 5.
The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by Insects

Soil Information

Rattlesnake Root will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is / is important for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
Rattlesnake Root prefers moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Rattlesnake Root can grow in full or semi shaded areas.

Moist woods[43].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Grows within a woodland garden
• Works within dappled Shade
• Grows in a shady edge
• Is suited to a deeply shaded location

Cultivation Details

Requires a moist but well-drained humus-rich neutral to acid soil in shade or semi-shade[200]. Suitable for naturalizing in the wild garden[200].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 0/5
None known

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 1/5
The plant is used as a poultice[61]. A poultice of the crushed roots has been used to treat rattlesnake bites[257].

• Antidote - Counters poisoning.
• Poultice - A moist, usually warm or hot, mass of plant material applied to the skin in the treatment of burns etc.

Propagation

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.

Known Hazards

None known

Other Uses

None known

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

Gray's Manual of Botany.
Fernald. M. L.
Author: Fernald. M. L.
Rating:
Publisher : A bit dated but good and concise flora of the eastern part of N. America.
Date of Publication : 1950

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