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- Snakeroot
Snakeroot
Ageratina altissima, or White Snakeroot, is a perennial wildflower native to Michigan and the UP. This is a great forest-edge ground cover, with a typical height of 2 feet, though it may grow taller depending on conditions. It prefers part shade in moist, humusy soils, but will tolerate full sun to full shade, and does reasonably well in dry soil with a bit of shade. Blooms in late summer with a cluster of foamy white flowers; even the fluffy seed heads are attractive.
Bees, butterflies, and moths utilize the flowers, while the foliage supports caterpillars, which in turn feed young birds. Adult birds feed on the seeds. Note that White Snakeroot contains the toxin tremetol which causes "the trembles" in cattle and other livestock, making it deer resistant. Avoid planting it near pastures, however. Host plant for the Ruby Tiger Moth.
This plant spreads by seeds and rhizomes, and its enthusiastic spreading is being investigated as a control for forest invasives, such as Gout/Bishop's/Eastside Weed. If you try it as a control for invasives, please report back on your results! We will be trying it here on invasive Lily of the Valley.