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white snakeroot

Ageratina altissima

White snakeroot is a tall plant with fluffy white flowers that bloom in late summer. It grows in many places, like forests and fields, and is important for bees and butterflies.

Habitat: Forests

Appearance

The white snakeroot has clusters of fuzzy white flowers that appear in late summer and fall, giving it a cloud-like appearance. Its leaves are broad, oval, and sharply toothed, growing on slender, often reddish-purple stems. It can be visually differentiated by its distinctive fluffy white blooms in shaded woodlands.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderAsteralesFamilyAsteraceaeGenusAgeratina
white snakeroot
deciduous trait badgeflowering trait badgecluster_flower trait badgesummer_blooming trait badge
white snakeroot

Category

Plants

Rarity

Common

Danger

3/5 · Moderate

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Cows can get 'trembles' from eating it, then pass the poison to their milk!

Even when dried, this plant stays toxic and can harm animals!

Humans can get 'milk sickness' just from drinking milk from affected cows!

Its poison once killed Abraham Lincoln's mother!

Special abilities

Ability

Toxin Shield

White snakeroot can produce a potent chemical, tremetol, that helps it defend against hungry herbivores.

Ability

Late Bloomer Advantage

White snakeroot has flowers that bloom in late summer and fall, helping it attract pollinators when other plants are scarce.

Ability

Shade Dweller

This plant can thrive in shady forest understories, giving it an advantage over sun-loving competing plants.

Measurements & details

Height
50-150 cm
Spread
30-60 cm
Flower Size
0.5-1 cm
Bloom Season
Late summer to fall
Edible
No
Toxicity
Deadly
Lifecycle
Perennial
Pollination Method
Insect

Ecological connections

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

3/5 · Moderate

Do not touch or eat any wild plants without asking an adult first.

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall is white snakeroot?

50-150 cm

How wide does white snakeroot spread?

30-60 cm

How big are the flowers on white snakeroot?

0.5-1 cm

When does white snakeroot bloom?

Late summer to fall

Is white snakeroot edible?

No

Is white snakeroot toxic?

Deadly

What is white snakeroot's lifecycle?

Perennial

How is white snakeroot pollinated?

Insect

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