# rattlesnake master (*Eryngium yuccifolium*) Rattlesnake master is a unique plant with spiky, green leaves and round, blue flowers. It grows tall and is often found in prairies and open fields, making it a special sight in nature. - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 10 - **Habitat:** Prairies and open fields ![rattlesnake master](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Rattlesnakemaster.jpg&width=800) Photo: Crazytwoknobs, CC BY 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rattlesnakemaster.jpg) ## Appearance The rattlesnake master has stiff, sword-like blue-green leaves resembling a yucca plant. Its unique, spherical flower heads are greenish-white, covered in small, spiky bracts, making it stand out in prairies and savannas. The overall appearance is architectural and tough. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Apiales - **Family:** Apiaceae - **Genus:** Eryngium ## Interesting facts - Despite its fearsome name, this plant has no direct connection to rattlesnakes, only old folklore! - Its scientific name, Eryngium yuccifolium, means 'yucca-leaved thistle' even though it's not a true thistle! - Native Americans historically used its fibrous leaves to weave ropes and mats, showing great resourcefulness! - The plant's deep root system can extend over 15 feet underground, helping it find water in dry seasons! ## Special abilities - **Root Power:** Rattlesnake master has incredibly tough, extensive roots that anchor it firmly, helping it withstand strong winds in open habitats. - **Spiky Shield:** Its stiff, pointy leaves act like a spiky shield, helping to deter hungry animals from nibbling on the plant. - **Pollinator Magnet:** The unique, globe-like, thistle-esque flower heads attract a wide variety of bees, wasps, and butterflies for pollination. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 50-200 cm - **Spread:** 30-60 cm - **Flower Size:** 1-2 cm - **Bloom Season:** Summer - **Edible:** No - **Toxicity:** None - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Insect ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** [Monarch butterfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/monarch-butterfly) (*Danaus plexippus*) — Monarch butterflies visit its flowers for nectar. - **Pollinates:** Honey bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Honey bees are frequent visitors to its nectar-rich blooms. - **Eaten by:** [White-tailed deer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-tailed-deer) (*Odocoileus virginianus*) — Deer occasionally browse its foliage, especially new growth. - **Pollinates:** Scoliid wasp (*Scolia dubia*) — These beneficial wasps gather nectar and pollen from the flowers. ## Traits - [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle. - [Summer Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/summer-blooming): Summer blooming plants produce their flowers during the summer season, often providing vibrant color when many other plants have finished. - [Medicinal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/medicinal): Medicinal plants possess chemical compounds that can be used for therapeutic purposes to treat illnesses or maintain health. - [Drought Tolerant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/drought-tolerant): Drought-tolerant plants can survive and flourish in conditions with limited water availability. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Spiky/Thorny](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spiky-thorny): Possessing sharp, pointed projections or spines on the body or surface. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always look but don't touch the sharp leaves to stay safe. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify rattlesnake master? Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is rattlesnake master? 50-200 cm ### How wide does rattlesnake master spread? 30-60 cm ### How big are the flowers on rattlesnake master? 1-2 cm ### When does rattlesnake master bloom? Summer ### Is rattlesnake master edible? No ### Is rattlesnake master toxic? None ### What is rattlesnake master's lifecycle? Perennial ## Where to spot - [Gensburg-Markham Prairie](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/gensburg-markham-prairie) — Illinois, US · Nature Reserve - [Hartwell Commercial Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/hartwell-commercial-historic-district) — Georgia, US · Historic District - [Shaw Nature Reserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/shaw-nature-reserve) — Missouri, US · Botanical Garden - [Black Earth Rettenmund Prairie State Natural Area](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/black-earth-rettenmund-prairie-state-natural-area) — Wisconsin, US · State Park - [Center Street Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/center-street-historic-district) — Ohio, US · Historic District - [Haight Village Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/haight-village-historic-district) — Illinois, US · Historic District [View all places to see rattlesnake master](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/rattlesnake-master) ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Rattlesnake Master: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/rattlesnake-master)