Here is your friendly plant post, where I talk about a plant I love and hopefully convince you to either plant it or just be more knowledgeable about it.
Plant:Eryngium yuccifolium, Rattlesnake Master
Why: I have spent the last 3 (scorching hot days) in the nursery working in a few beds that contain rattlesnake master. Let me just tell you... working in 94 degree weather, sweating, planting seedlings, and snagging your face on these flower heads is not the best experience! I was starting to get fed up with them to tell you the truth... but when a few visitors from another site came out to the nursery on Tuesday, they were very impressed with the rattlesnake master's progress in the nursery. Is that so? I decided I needed to learn more about it so I could be impressed, too!
Landscape info: Prefers full sun and even moisture, which makes it easy to grow in a prairie setting, as well as a low maintenance yard plant. It is commonly used in roadside plantings, as well. There are no reported insect problems or diseases. It does not have weedy-like qualities and self pollinates. A huge attracting feature are the unique, spiky flowers that form into balls. Be careful! They sort of hurt if you brush against one. :)
A full shot of the rattlesnake master plant
Other uses: The early American pioneers believed that the roots could be used as an antidote to a rattlesnake bite, hence the name of the plant! But it is not believed that this actually works, there are disputes about the effectiveness!
A picture of the rattlesnake master roots
Fun facts: The rattlesnake master is actually a member of the carrot family, but it sure does take on the qualities of a succulent, doesn't it? The dried seedheads of the rattlesnake master were used as rattles by the American Indians. The specific epithet, yuccifolium, is Greek for "like yucca leaves." Check out a previous post for information about the yucca. :)
Some information and pictures from: http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info, http://plants.usda.gov, and yahoo images
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