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Manfreda virginica (Linnaeus) Salisbury ex Rose ssp. virginica . Common name: Eastern Agave, Rattlesnake-master, Eastern False-aloe. Phenology: Late May-Aug; Aug-Oct. Habitat: Granite flatrocks, diabase glades, limestone and dolomite barrens and glades, xeric woodlands over mafic or calcareous rocks, prairies, sandhill woodlands, open pine forests, dry roadbanks. Distribution: E. SC, c. NC, sw. VA, w. WV, s. OH, s. IN, s. IL, and c. MO south to c. peninsular FL and TX.

Origin/Endemic status: Endemic

Other Comments: This species was used by Indigenous Americans as an antidote for snakebite, giving rise to the common name rattlesnake-master; in addition, huaco is a Mexican name for plants used to treat snakebites. The treatment may have had some merit since cardiac-stimulant glycosides are often found in association with saponins (Diggs et al. 2006). Pollination is primarily by sphinx moths.

Synonymy ⓘ: = NcTx; = Agave virginica L. — C, F, RAB, WV; = Agave virginica L. ssp. virginica — K4; = Manfreda virginica (L.) Salisb. ex Rose — Ar, ETx1, Il, Mo1, Va, W, WH3; = Polianthes virginica (L.) Shinners — Tx; < Agave virginica L. — POWO; > Agave virginica L. var. tigrina Engelm.; > Manfreda tigrina (Engelm.) Small — S, S13; < Manfreda virginica (L.) Salisb. ex Rose — FNA26, NS, Ok, POWO; > Manfreda virginica (L.) Salisb. ex Rose — S, S13; Agave virginica L. Basionym: Agave virginica L. 1753

Links to other floras: < Manfreda virginica - FNA26

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image of plant© Alan M. Cressler | Original Image ⭷
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image of plant© Gage Barnes, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Gage Barnes source CC-BY-NC, permission granted to NCBG | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Gary P. Fleming
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image of plant© Zach Irick, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Zach Irick source CC-BY-NC, permission granted to NCBG | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Gary P. Fleming
image of plant© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Gage Barnes, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Gage Barnes source CC-BY-NC, permission granted to NCBG | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Zach Irick, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Zach Irick source CC-BY-NC, permission granted to NCBG | Original Image ⭷
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image of plant© Gary P. Fleming
image of plant© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Zach Irick, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Zach Irick source CC-BY-NC, permission granted to NCBG | Original Image ⭷
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Horticultural Information

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Height: 3-6 ft.

plant sale text: Eastern false-aloe is an unusual SE native perennial primarily grown for its striking architectural foliage. In the winter, the plant goes dormant down to its succulent rootstock. Each spring, it produces a rosette of fleshy spineless leaves that may eventually spread as wide as 3 feet. Its flowers are small and fragrant. Its upright stalk of up to 30 pale yellow-orange three-lobed flowers can reach 6 feet in height. Eastern false-aloe is found growing in rocky glades and open woods, usually on alkaline soil.

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native range: eastern United States



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