Eryngium yuccifolium (Rattlesnake Master)
| Also known as: | Button Eryngo, Button Snakeroot |
|---|---|
| Genus: | Eryngium |
| Family: | Apiaceae (Carrot) |
| Life cycle: | perennial |
| Origin: | native |
| Status: |
|
| Habitat: | sun; moist to dry sandy, loamy soil; prairies, open woods |
| Bloom season: | July - August |
| Plant height: | 2 to 5 feet |
| Wetland Indicator Status: | GP: FACW MW: FAC NCNE: FAC |
| MN county distribution (click map to enlarge): |  |
| National distribution (click map to enlarge): |  |
Pick an image for a larger view. See the glossary for icon descriptions.
Detailed Information
Flower: 
![[photo of flowers]](/udata/r9ndp23q/pd/eryngium-yuccifolium-003.jpg)
Whitish green globe-like flowerheads, ½ to ¾ inch wide, are arrayed in an orbital cluster at the end of a tall, smooth stalk. Each flower head is composed of numerous small flowers with 5 white petals, notched at the tip, 2 long white styles, and 5 white stamens with greenish to brown tips. Surrounding each flower are prickly floral bracts. At the base of the flower head is a whorl of leafy bracts, lance-like and prickly. A plant has a few to many clusters from the leaf axils and on branching stems in the upper part of the plant.
Leaves and stem:
![[photo of leaves]](/udata/r9ndp23q/white/rattlesnake-master_0718_152708.jpg)
Leaves are mostly basal, long and sword-like with parallel veins and tapering to a sharp point, up to 2½ feet long and only 1 inch wide with a few smaller leaves ascending the stem. Stem leaves are stiff, clasp the stem and typically wrap around it. Leaf surfaces are waxy, the edges either smooth or commonly with widely spaced, fine spiny teeth. Stems are hairless, blue-green, waxy, and ridged.
Fruit:
![[photo of fruit]](/udata/r9ndp23q/pd/eryngium-002.jpg)
The flower heads turn purplish in the fall and eventually dry to a dark brown.
![[photo of fruit]](/udata/r9ndp23q/pd/eryngium-yuccifolium-seed.jpg)
Seed is dark brown, 3-sided, just under 1/8 inch long, the layered remains of the floral bracts attached at the top on 2 sides with the third side smooth and flat.
Notes:
To any sense of observation, this one is a no-brainer as Rattlesnake Master is a unique plant—at first encounter it is startlingly different than most native plant forms. It also makes an excellent garden specimen as a durable perennial in most soil types with adequate sun. According to the DNR, while Rattlesnake Master does grow in a variety of habitats, in Minnesota—the northern edge of its natural range—it has limited itself to open prairies, which have all but disappeared. It was designated a Special Concern species in 1984.Native Plant Nurseries, Restoration and Landscaping Services ↓
Map of native plant resources in the upper midwest
More photos
garden grown Rattlesnake Master
basal leaf clump 
more flowers
Rattlesnake Master habitat
rare species: Rattlesnake Master, Sullivant's Milkweed, Wild Quinine
garden grown Rattlesnake Master
basal leaf clump 
more flowers
Rattlesnake Master habitat
rare species: Rattlesnake Master, Sullivant's Milkweed, Wild Quinine Photos by K. Chayka taken in Dodge county. Photos courtesy Peter M. Dziuk taken in Dodge county and a residential garden in Anoka county.
Comments
Have you seen this plant in Minnesota, or have any other comments about it?
on: 2011-07-17 14:23:10
I planted a few of these in my native garden a couple years ago. This year they are spectacular!
on: 2011-07-28 22:57:02
I planted two plants in my "rock garden" and I find they are most interesting! They really add to the other wild flowers I have in my garden and I enjoy them for the duration of the summer. They seem to thrive despite the fact they are right next to the street.
on: 2011-08-09 11:44:08
We planted 7-1/2 acres of prairie in the fall of 2008. Today we noticed a single Rattlesnake Master plant for the first time. It was not listed as a species we planted and not shown in the books we have, but found it quickly on your web site. Thanks, Jim
on: 2012-07-20 21:25:25
The flowers are just starting to open. There is several of these growing at Northwood Park in New Hope, MN. 7-20-12
on: 2013-03-16 21:08:48
A great plant for cultivation - I now have two, and love looking at the carrot-that-looks-like-a-yucca when I'm outside.
There are some great natural stands of this in these areas: Osmundson Prairie SNA (near Kiester, almost on the Iowa border); Butternut Valley Prairie SNA (south of New Ulm, northwest of Lake Crystal); Joseph A. Tauer Prairie SNA (south of New Ulm); Des Moines Prairie SNA (near Windom). These are all near the westernmost distribution of this species, according to various sources.
There's also a smaller representation of it on Kasota Prairie SNA southeast of St. Peter (I've personally found only a couple of plants). It's listed on the DNR site as being the northernmost outpost of the species, but the more westerly ones that I've listed have lots more plants.
on: 2013-07-27 16:16:06
We have three large plants in our rock garden in our front yard right next to the street. The bees love them as well as an occasional hornet. They are about 3 1/2 feet tall now and have many blooms. I purchased two from a nursery and the third one is a self-starter.
on: 2014-07-17 17:07:59
Saw about eight of these 17 July 2014 at Afton State Park in its restored prairie.
on: 2014-08-14 22:25:29
During my visit to Iron Horse Prairie SNA I photographed dozens of these interesting plants. This place is special and it was a privilege to "walk very carefully" there.
on: 2014-08-26 13:13:19
Numerous of these, flowering in the flattish, open section of the SNA (between the pair of hillocks on the S edge of the SNA and the low wooded rise on the N). Beautiful!
on: 2014-10-16 17:17:01
Saw two of these today, October 16, on a west-facing hillside in Ottawa Bluffs preserve, just east of St. Peter.
on: 2015-07-15 00:13:03
Just planted one in my native garden along with cardinal flower, wild bergamot, purple coneflowers, fragrant hyssop and thimbleweed. I also moved some enchanters nightshade in as its in a area I have to clean up.
on: 2016-06-14 11:09:38
I have many of these in my 2 acre restoration. They are self propagating.
on: 2016-07-31 20:03:32
Wildflowers were the centerpieces at the GCOLA event last week. I'm ecstatic that one of my wildflowers was Rattlesnake Master. I planted it in sandy soil near the water. Hope it likes it there. I'll take special care since it is as State Special Concern.
on: 2016-10-28 21:33:23
Rattlesnake master is a fairly common plant at Spring Lake Park Reserve in Hastings.
on: 2017-10-07 21:54:25
i stumbled across this plant last year wild hunting up in royalton.my first thought was that it was a yucca varient because of the leaves. did some research and found out that it was rattlesnake master or Eryngium yuccifolium. it is the only one like it in the area,at least i am unable to find another like it. the leaves are full of very strong fibers. i harvested a few of the leaves and made a piece of cordage from them. i am thinking of adding this plant to one of our flower gardens.not just for the looks but also so that i have a supply of the leaves so that i can make more cordage from them.
on: 2018-07-23 19:11:15
We saw this plant today in the open prairie hiking trail near the Historic Forestville part of the park. Its white flowers were striking above the green of the grass and the yellow of the coneflowers.
on: 2019-09-03 17:34:36
Found a single plant in the middle of a field. Heavy, clay soil. I was surprised to find it isn't commonly found this far north in MN. I have NO idea how it got here on land we've owned over 40 years.
on: 2019-09-03 19:10:32
Lyn, is there any indication of wet or seepy soil where you found it?
on: 2020-07-16 22:11:52
These are plentiful in the open fields throughout that part of Dodge Nature Center that borders hwy 62.
on: 2020-08-06 10:55:36
We have seen these for the first time at our campground. I had no idea what they were. Thank you for the information.
on: 2020-09-16 23:33:06
This site helped me identify this striking plant. It was growing next to many compositae, Big Bluestem, Compass Plant, and Bottle Gentians at the end of their season.
on: 2022-06-15 07:40:16
Found this on a Lake Steward site visit last week. On a hill west side of Gull Lake.
on: 2022-06-15 09:09:06
Luciearl, Cass County is pretty far from its natural range so it was likely planted there, maybe as part of a restoration.
on: 2022-08-05 16:45:40
A pleasant surprise to see it growing in the park, not too far from the trailhead.
on: 2023-08-09 22:30:15
There is one plant in the right of way along County Road 101 just north and east of Bob's Cabins.
on: 2023-08-10 14:54:13
Jon, per the distribution map, the natural range for this is our southeast counties, so if it is indeed rattlesnake master you saw in Lake County, it would not be a natural population but would have been planted there or nearby.
on: 2023-08-11 16:44:37
I found this growing at the Lewiston Prairie trails park in the more sandy section. What a beautiful and unique flower.
on: 2023-09-25 14:44:50
On Permanent CRP ground. Estimate +40 plants center of field.