Rattlesnake Weed

Rattlesnake Weed

Taxobox
name = Rattlesnake Weed


image_width = 240px
regnum = Plantae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Magnoliopsida
subclassis = Rosidae
unranked_ordo = Eurosids I
ordo = Ericales
ordo = Malpighiales
familia = Euphorbiaceae
subfamilia = Euphorbioideae
tribus = Euphorbieae
subtribus = Euphorbiinae
genus = "Euphorbia"
species = "E. albomarginata"
binomial = "Euphorbia albomarginata"
binomial_authority = Torr. & GrayVerify source|date=November 2007
synonyms ="Chamaesyce albomarginata"

The Rattlesnake Weed ("Euphorbia albomarginata") is a low-growing member of the spurge family native to desert and chaparral habitats of southwestern North America, from southern California to Texas. This species is also known under the name of Whitemargin Sandmat.

Rattlesnake Weed is a common ground cover plant, usually growing less than 1/2 in (13 mm) high, with individual plants covering about a square foot, often growing closely and forming mats of vegetation. The flowers of this plant are tiny and edged in white, with a purplish center. Rattlesnake Weed can be found in open fields, on roadsides, or anywhere where the ground is disturbed, including ornamental gravels in suburban yards, where it is considered as a weed.

The name is derived from its former use as a folk remedy for snakebites (as a poultice or brewed as a tea) - however, this species is not proven to be medically effective in treating rattlesnake venom. Like most spurges, Rattlesnake Weed secretes an acrid, milky sap containing alkaloids poisonous to humans, with emetic and cathartic properties that may be misconstrued as curative.

Other Uses for the Name

This name may also refer to other plants which have been used in folk medicine for the treatment of snakebites.

* Rattlesnake Weed is an alternate name for
** Florida Betony ("Stachys floridana"), a member of the mint family
** American Wild Carrot ("Daucus pusillus"), a close relative of the wild carrot
* The similarly named Rattlesnakeweed ("Hieracum venosum") is a member of the aster family

References

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External links

* [http://www.naturesongs.com/vvplants/rattlesnakeweed.html Rattlesnake Weed] profile
* [http://www.enature.com/flashcard/show_flash_card.asp?recordNumber=WF0899 Rattlesnake Weed] at eNature


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Look at other dictionaries:

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  • rattlesnake weed — ☆ rattlesnake weed n. an American hawkweed (Hieracium venosum) having purple veined basal leaves and a naked flowering stem …   English World dictionary

  • rattlesnake weed — noun a hawkweed with a rosette of purple veined basal leaves; Canada to northern Georgia and Kentucky • Syn: ↑Hieracium venosum • Hypernyms: ↑hawkweed * * * noun 1. : a hawkweed (Hieracium venosum) with purple veined leaves …   Useful english dictionary

  • rattlesnake weed — 1. a hawkweed, Hieracium venosum, of eastern North America, whose leaves and root are thought to possess medicinal properties. 2. a carrotlike weed, Daucus pusillus, of southern and western North America. 3. any of certain other plants, as an… …   Universalium

  • rattlesnake weed — noun Date: 1760 a hawkweed (Hieracium venosum) of eastern North America with purple veined leaves …   New Collegiate Dictionary

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  • Rattlesnake root — Rattlesnake Rat tle*snake (r[a^]t t l*sn[=a]k ), n. (Zo[ o]l.) Any one of several species of venomous American snakes belonging to the genera {Crotalus} and {Caudisona}, or {Sistrurus}; sometimes also called {rattler}. They have a series of horny …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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