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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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image of plant© Erik Danielson source | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Richard & Teresa Ware CC-BY-NC, permission granted to NCBG | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Richard & Teresa Ware CC-BY-NC, permission granted to NCBG | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Alan M. Cressler | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Erik Danielson source | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Glen Peterson | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Bruce A. Sorrie | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Glen Peterson | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Joey Shaw source | Original Image ⭷

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Horticultural Information

NCBG trait

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.

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cultural notes:

germination code:

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