| Eryngium yuccifolium |
| Rattlesnake-master or button snakeroot |
Key Characteristics
Tall perennial forb (1 m) of moist prairies; leaves linear and elongate with occasional spines, blue-green in color; flowers white, borne in several round heads atop tall stalks.
Status and Rank
- State Status: T - Threatened (legally protected)
- State Rank: S2 - Imperiled
- Global Rank: G5 - Secure
Occurrences
| County Name | Number of Occurrences | Year Last Observed |
|---|---|---|
| Berrien | 3 | 2007 |
| Calhoun | 1 | 2007 |
| Cass | 4 | 2001 |
| Kalamazoo | 8 | 2003 |
| St. Joseph | 6 | 1990 |
| Van Buren | 5 | 2009 |
![Occurrence Map for [Sname]](/mnfi/maptmp/NFR_Distributions12657751735692.png)
Information is summarized from MNFI's database of rare species and community occurrences. Data may not reflect true distribution since much of the state has not been thoroughly surveyed.
Habitat
Occurs in sedge and grass-dominated portions of prairie fen complexes, including thickets along stream drainages. Also found in sandy soils and wet prairies in former oak savannas and oak barrens, often occurring in small remnants along power lines and railroad rights-of-way.
Natural Community Types
Associated Plants
Red-osier dogwood, cat-tails, marsh fern, sensitive fern, golden-alexanders, white camass, Culver's root, rosin-weed, golden-alexanders, prairie Indian-plantain, blazing star, red-osier dogwood, edible valerian, prairie dock, spiderwort.
Management
Maintain openings through use of prescribed fire, which will reduce vigorous woody plant competition.
General Survey Guidelines
Random meander search covers areas that appear likely to have rare taxa, based on habitat and the judgment of the investigator.
Survey Methods
- Meander search
Survey Period: From first week of July to fourth week of September
References
Survey References
- Elzinga, C.L., D.W. Salzer, and J.W. Willoughby. 1998. Measuring and Monitoring Plant Populations. The Nature Conservancy and Bureau of Land Management, Denver. BLM Technical Reference 1730-1. 477pp.
- Goff, G.F., G.A. Dawson, and J.J. Rochow. 1982. Site examination for Threatened and Endangered plant species. Environmental Management 6(4): 307-316
- Nelson, J.R. 1984. Rare Plant Field Survey Guidelines. In: J.P. Smith and R. York. Inventory of rare and endangered vascular plants of California. 3rd Ed. California Native Plant Society, Berkeley. 174pp.
- Nelson, J.R. 1986. Rare Plant Surveys: Techniques For Impact Assessment. Natural Areas Journal 5(3):18-30.
- Nelson, J.R. 1987. Rare Plant Surveys: Techniques for Impact Assessment. In: Conservation and management of rare and endangered plants. Ed. T.S. Elias. California Native Plant Society, Sacramento. 8pp.
Technical References
- Coffin, B. and L. Pfannmuller, eds. 1988. Minnesota's Endangered Flora and Fauna. University of Minnesota Press, Minneapolis. 473pp.
- Gleason, H. A., and A. Cronquist. 1991. Manual of Vascular Plants of Northeastern United States and Adjacent Canada. Second edition. The New York Botanical Garden, Bronx. 910pp.
- Gray, A. 1950. Gray's Manual of Botany; eighth ed. Van Nostrand Reinghold, New York. 1632pp.
- Holmgren, N.H. 1998. Illustrated Companion to Gleason and Cronquist's Manual. Illustrations of the vascular plants of Northeastern United States and adjacent Canada. New York Botanical Garden, Bronx. 937pp.
- Mohlenbrock, R.H. 1986. Guide to the Vascular Flora of Illinois. Southern Illinois University Press, Carbondale. 507pp.
- Swink, F. and G. Wilhelm. 1994. Plants of the Chicago Region, 4th ed. Indiana Academy of Science, Indianapolis. 921pp.
- Voss, E. G. 1985. Michigan Flora. Part II. Dicots (Saururaceae-Cornaceae). Bulletin of the Cranbrook Institute of Science and University of Michigan Herbarium. 724pp.