Flower ID: IMG_1597.JPG-08-04-2017 Flower name (scientific): Prenanthes alba Linnaeus PY: 1753. Plants of the World Online treats this name as a synonym of Nabalus albus (Linnaeus) Hooker, but the FNA does not. Pronunciation guide: (phonetic spelling) AL-ba Flower name (common): White Rattlesnake-root Family name (common): Aster Family name (scientific): Asteraceae Scientific name origin: Genus: Derived from the Greek prenes for drooping, and anthe for blossom, referrencing the hanging appearance of the flowers. Specific epithet: Latin for white. Common name origin: Probably from the use of the root for the treament of snakebites. Flower description: Size: 0.4 to 0.6 inches (1.0 to 1.5 cm) Petal count: 11, typically 8 to 14 ray florets and no disk florets. Color: purple or white or brown Other: flower arrangement, Panicle Plant description: Erect Size: 18 to 60 inches (46 to 152 cm) Stem hairy: Other: Leaf description: attachment is alternate, type is simple and lobed Size: Leaves up to 20 to 30 cm long 15 to 18 cm wide. Color: Hairy: Other: Shape: leaf, usually ovate to triangular or cordate (FNA), variable in shape; less often deltate or ovate (IL) Origin (native, introduced, invasive): Native Status (common, uncommon, threatened, rare): Common Bloom time (typical): August to September Cycle (annual, biennial, perennial): Biennial/Perennial Habitat: Forests, woodlands, thickets, shade or part shade, dry to moist. Fruit: Seed: Importance to wildlife: Similar species (if any): The rather hairy purple bracts help differentiate the related species Prenanthes racemosa (Glaucous White Lettuce) from Prenanthes alba, which has essentially hairless bracts. The species Prenanthes crepidinea (Great White-lettuce, Midwestern White-lettuce) is endangered in Wisconsin and present in only a few of the southern counties in the state. Prenanthes aspera (Rough Rattlesnake-root, Rough White-lettuce) is also endangered in Wisconsin. Prenanthes crepidinea has hairy bracts, and Prenanthes aspera has densely hairy bracts. Ethnobotany: The Ojibwe use the milk of this plant as a diuretic, in particular, for female health problems (Smith, p. 365, 1932). Latitude: Longitude: Altitude: Distribution: In Wisconsin: (Adams, Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Brown, Buffalo, Burnett, Calumet, Chippewa, Clark, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Door, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Florence, Fond du Lac, Forest, Grant, Green, Green Lake, Iowa, Iron, Jackson, Jefferson, Juneau, Kenosha, Kewaunee, La Crosse, Lafayette, Langlade, Lincoln, Manitowoc, Marathon, Marinette, Marquette, Menominee, Milwaukee, Monroe, Oconto, Oneida, Outagamie, Ozaukee, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, Portage, Price, Racine, Richland, Rock, Rusk, Sauk, Sawyer, Shawano, Sheboygan, St. Croix, Taylor, Trempealeau, Vernon, Vilas, Walworth, Washburn, Washington, Waukesha, Waupaca, Waushara, Winnebago, Wood) Click here for distribution map In US: (AR, CT, DC, DE, IA, IL, IN, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, NC, ND, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, SD, VA, VT, WI, WV) In Canada: (MB, ON, QC, SK) References: Synonym(s): Basionym: Homotypic Synonym(s): Heterotypic Synonym(s): Autonym: na