Skip to main content
  1. Species/

Ageratina altissima

Common Names: White Snakeroot,

Scientific Classification

Kingdom: Plantae
Phylum: Tracheophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Ageratina
Species: Ageratina altissima

Conservation Status

Identifying Features

White snakeroots grow upright around 4 feet tall. The stems are narrow and smooth, with opposite leaves that are triangular-shaped and serrated. Near the upper part of the plant, it has small, fuzzy, white flower heads that grow in flat clusters.

Habitat & Range

White snakeroots can be found in moist woods and thick brushes. They are native to central and eastern United States.

Behavior

White snakeroot contain toxic substances in the stems and leaves. Particularly, the plant can be dangerous to livestock when ingested. The toxins can enter the milk produced and contaminate it.

Life Cycle

White snakeroots bloom between July-October. Once fully bloomed, seeds are produced on the flower-heads. The seeds contain tiny hairs that can be dispersed by the wind and transported to different areas.

Featured image by

Related

Helianthus tuberosus
Jerusalem Artichoke
Taraxacum officinale
Common Dandelion
Cichorium intybus
Chicory