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- The related genus Eupatorium also contains plants called "snakeroot". Virginia Snakeroot (Aristolochia serpentaria) and Canadian Snakeroot (Asarum canadense) are unrelated plants.
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 Sticky Snakeroot (Ageratina adenophora)
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About 250, see text |
Snakeroot (Ageratina) is a genus of about 250[1][2]–290[3] perennials and rounded shrubs from the Sunflower family (Asteraceae).
These plants grow mainly in the warmer regions of the Americas. However, some flourish in the cooler areas of the eastern United States. Two Mexican species have become a pest in parts of Australia and Taiwan[3]. Ageratina used to belong to the genus Eupatorium, but it has been reclassified.
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Description
The inflorescence consists of multiple fluffy, red or pinkish-white capitula in clusters. These lack the typical ray flowers of the composites.
They have multiple, much-branched woody stems. The petioles are rather long. The leaves are triangular, serrate and opposite with a foul-smelling, musky scent.
Species
Toxic properties
Milk from cows that have eaten snakeroot can cause illness if ingested because the milk becomes toxic.
Notes
- ^ "Ageratina". Flora of North America.
- ^ Carmen Ulloa Ulloa and Peter Møller Jørgensen. "Ageratina Spach". Arboles y arbustos de los Andes del Ecuador (Trees and shrubs of the Andes of Ecuador).
- ^ a b "Ageratina Spach". Flora of Taiwan.
External links
Media related to Ageratina at Wikimedia Commons
Wikipedia content modification information:
- This page was last modified on 3 August 2008, at 08:31.
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