Rattlesnake Master

Standing guard before the Savanna Girl is the spiky form of Rattlesnake Master, Eryngium yuccifolium.  This prairie plant bears little resemblance to the other members of the Apiaceae or Carrot family.  Instead of flat umbels the flowers are borne in spiky spheres.  Instead of fern-like foliage it produces a rosette of leaves very similar to the yucca - hence its species name.  The spiky flowers are carried on branching stiff stems high above the foliage.  They start out green, but as the florets open they turn a silvery white shade that catches the moonlight.  The heads turn brown as the seeds ripen.  A few nectar feeders visit the flowers, but few animals dine on the tough spike leaves.  Native Americas are said to have used the seed heads as rattles, and pioneers thought the long taproot was useful as an antidote for rattlesnake bites - not true.  As a true prairie plant, it requires full sun and will grow in moist to slightly dry soils.  One of the three plants I put in this spring bloomed this summer, from June to September.  The other two formed larger rosettes.  According to sources, once a plant blooms, the crown dies back and forms secondary rosettes, eventually leading to a clump.  This is one of the plants I grow for its uniqueness more than its beauty.  I also get a kick out of anything with snake in the name.