Eryngium yuccifolium
Origin: Winona, Minnesota
Improvement status: Wild
Seeds per packet: ~75
Germination tested 10/2025: 42%
Life cycle: Perennial
Zones: 4-9
Not just a name for your next metal band, Rattlesnake Master has a host of other colloquial titles: Button Snakeroot, Yucca-leaf Eryngo, Corn Snakeroot, Water-eryngo, Rattlesnake Flag, and Rattlesnake Weed. It native to most of eastern North America.
Traditionally the plant was used to treat snakebite, as the name suggests, and also for sexual and reproductive issues. The plant has high value for landscaping, with unique and spiky foliage and globe-thistle-like white flower spheres. It’s sort of a northern climate yucca, or cactus. Native bees flock to its small flowers. Tap rooted and drought tolerant once established.
4'h x 2'w at maturity. Medium soil (not too dry or wet). Full Sun. White blooms July-Sept.
Our seed comes from our friend Bonnie in Winona, Minnesota, who is a talented forager and wildcrafter, and very familiar with the flora of the Driftless region. This seed was harvested wild in the Winona area.
Growing Tips: Cold Stratify 60 days. Or Fall seed.
