Practical
Plants

Ageratina altissima

White Snakeroot

a perennial member of the Ageratina genus in the family Compositae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
2 m
Fertility
Self fertile, Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The plant contains tremetol, a complex alcohol, and glycosides. These toxins cause a fatal disease known as 'staggers' in cattle. The toxin can be passed through the milk and has caused fatalities in humans who have drunk affected cow's milk[3].

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The root is diaphoretic, diuretic, febrifuge, stimulant and tonic[2]. It has been used in the treatment of diarrhoea, gravel and urinary diseases[2]. It has also been used in herbal sweat baths to encourage sweating[2]. A decoction or infusion of the root has been taken to treat a fallen or inflamed womb[2]. The root has been chewed and held in the mouth as a treatment for toothache[2].

Product or use
Diaphoretic
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Febrifuge
Product or use
Stimulant
Product or use
Tonic
Product or use
Odontalgic

Environment

Range
Eastern N. America.
Habitat
Low woods in river valleys in Texas[3].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 6+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame, only just covering the seed. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. Division in spring.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Succeeds in an ordinary well-drained but moisture retentive garden soil in sun or part shade[1]. There is some difference of opinion over the correct name for this species with some authorities using Eupatorium rugosum[K].

References

  1. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩

  2. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  3. Diggs, Jnr. G.M.; Lipscomb. B. L. & O'Kennon. R. J Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas Botanical Research Institute, Texas. 1999-00-00 http://artemis.austincollege.edu/acad/bio/gdiggs/NCTXpdf.htm

    ↩1↩2

Edit this page