Nabalus altissimus (Linnaeus) Hooker. Common name: Tall Rattlesnake-root. Phenology: Aug-Nov. Habitat: Forests. Distribution: NL (Newfoundland) west to MI, south to GA, LA, and AR.
Origin/Endemic status: Native
Taxonomy Comments: The variation of pappus color responsible for the sometime recognition of two varieties (see synonymy) needs additional study.
Synonymy ⓘ: = NE, NY, POWO, S, Tn, Va; = Prenanthes altissima L. — Ar, FNA19, G, Mi, Oh3, Pa, RAB, Tat, W, WV, Fusiak & Schilling (1984), Johnson (1980); > Nabalus altissimus (L.) Hook. var. altissimus — Il; > Nabalus altissimus (L.) Hook. var. cinnamomea (Fernald) Mohlenbr. — Il; > Prenanthes altissima L. var. altissima — C, F, SE1; > Prenanthes altissima L. var. cinnamomea Fernald — C, F, SE1; > Prenanthes altissima L. var. hispidula Fernald. Basionym: Prenanthes altissima L. 1753
Links to other floras: = Prenanthes altissima - FNA19
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Wetland Indicator Status:
- Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: UPL
- Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: FACU
- Great Plains: UPL
- Midwest: FACU
- Northcentral & Northeast: FACU
Heliophily ⓘ: 4
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© Erik Danielson source | Original Image ⭷
© Richard & Teresa Ware CC-BY-NC, permission granted to NCBG | Original Image ⭷
© Richard & Teresa Ware CC-BY-NC, permission granted to NCBG | Original Image ⭷
© Alan M. Cressler | Original Image ⭷
© Erik Danielson source | Original Image ⭷
© Glen Peterson | Original Image ⭷
© Bruce A. Sorrie | Original Image ⭷
© Glen Peterson | Original Image ⭷
© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
© Joey Shaw source | Original Image ⭷Feedback
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Horticultural Information
Intro: Erect perennial of moist to dry upland forests, well-drained alluvial forests and clearings.
Stems: Stems branched above, often zigzagged above, mostly smooth (sometimes hairy at base), leaking milky sap when broken.
Leaves: Leaves alternate, petiolate, triangular to lance-shaped, 1½--6 in. long, varying from a few teeth to deeply 3- to 5-lobed (lobes angular); also with milky sap.
Inforescence:
Flowers: Composite flowers (heads) drooping from short stalks of a terminal panicle; cylindric heads about 1/2 in. long, consisting of 5 spreading to recurved, pale yellow or greenish-white ray florets surrounded by 5 smooth, pale green bracts.
Fruits: Fruit a tufted achene.
Comments:
Height: 1 1/2-6 ft.
plant sale text:
bloom table text:
description: Erect perennial of moist to dry upland forests, well-drained alluvial forests and clearings.
stems: Stems branched above, often zigzagged above, mostly smooth (sometimes hairy at base), leaking milky sap when broken.
leaves: Leaves alternate, petiolate, triangular to lance-shaped, 1½--6 in. long, varying from a few teeth to deeply 3- to 5-lobed (lobes angular); also with milky sap.
inflorescence:
flowers: Composite flowers (heads) drooping from short stalks of a terminal panicle; cylindric heads about 1/2 in. long, consisting of 5 spreading to recurved, pale yellow or greenish-white ray florets surrounded by 5 smooth, pale green bracts.
fruits: Fruit a tufted achene.
comments:
cultural notes:
germination code:
native range:
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