White Snakeroot: Native Plant or Noxious Weed?
Introduction
White snakeroot is a plant that can be both beautiful and dangerous. It’s a native plant of North America that’s known for its delicate white flowers. However, it also contains a toxin that can be poisonous to livestock and humans.
Description
White snakeroot is a tall plant with coarse, toothed leaves and pointed tips. It grows in moist, shady areas, such as along roadsides, in woods, and in fields. The plant blooms in the summer and fall, producing clusters of white flowers.
Historical Uses
Historically, white snakeroot was used for medicinal purposes. People believed that a poultice made from the roots could cure snakebites. Additionally, it was rumored that smoke from burning fresh snakeroot leaves could revive the unconscious. However, due to its toxicity, using snakeroot for medicinal purposes is not recommended.
Toxicity
The leaves and stems of white snakeroot contain a toxin called tremetol. Tremetol is a fat-soluble toxin that can poison livestock and humans who consume it. The toxin is highest in green growing plants, but it remains poisonous even after frost strikes the plant or when it’s dried in hay.
Toxicity from consuming contaminated milk was a problem in colonial times when backyard farming was common. However, with the commercialization of milk production, this risk is now virtually nonexistent. However, white snakeroot growing in pastures and hay fields remains a threat to grazing animals.
Ornamental Uses
Despite its toxicity, white snakeroot is a popular ornamental plant. It’s attractive in cottage and rock gardens, as well as in naturalized areas. Its long-lasting flowers attract bees, butterflies, and moths.
Cultivation
White snakeroot is easy to grow from seed. The seeds have white silk-parachute tails that encourage wind dispersal. When growing snakeroot in home gardens, it’s important to remove spent flower heads before they release their seeds to prevent widespread distribution.
Snakeroot prefers a rich, organic medium with an alkaline pH level, but it can grow in a variety of soils. Plants can also propagate by underground stems (rhizomes), resulting in clusters of white snakeroot plants. The best time to divide root clumps is early spring.
Conclusion
White snakeroot is a beautiful plant with a complex history. It’s important to be aware of its toxicity, but it can also be enjoyed as an ornamental plant in home gardens. With proper care and precautions, white snakeroot can be a valuable addition to any landscape.
