Rattlesnake Master

Eryngium yuccifolium

(Eryngium yuccifolium var. yuccifolium)

er-RIN-jee-um  yuk-ki-FOH-ee-um

Synonyms of Eryngium yuccifolium var. synchaetum (2) (Updated on 7-19-26 from Plants of the World Online): Eryngium aquaticum var. synchaetum (A.Gray ex J.M.Coult. & Rose) H.Wolff (1913), Eryngium synchaetum (A.Gray ex J.M.Coult. & Rose) J.M.Coult. & Rose (1902)

Eryngium yuccifolium Michx. is the accepted scientific name for the Rattlesnake Master. It was named and described as such by André Michaux in Flora Boreali-Americana in 1803.

Accepted Infraspecific Names (2) (Updated on 7-19-26 from Plants of the World Online): Eryngium yuccifolium var. synchaetum Array ex. J.M.Coult. & Rose (1888), *Eryngium yuccifolium var. synchaetum (autonym). *When an infraspecific taxon is named, an autonym (“type-specimen”) is automatically generated whose description is closest to the (original) species. All have their own list of synonyms. In this case, Eryngium yuccifolium var. synchaetum is the only one with synonyms listed on POWO.

The genus, Eryngium Tourn. Ex L., was described as such by Carl von Linnaeus in the first volume of the first edition of Species Plantarum in 1753. It was first named and described by Joseph Pitton de Tournefort. 

As of 7-19-26 when this page was written, Plants of the World Online lists 254 species in the Eryngium genus. It is a member of the plant family Apiaceae with 455 genera. Those numbers could change as updates are made on POWO.

The above distribution map for Eryngium yuccifolium is from Plants of the World Online. Areas in green are where the species is native, purple where it has been introduced, and where where it is listed as extinct. The map on the USDA Database is similar. You can click on the links to find where subordinate taxon are found. 

The map on iNaturalist shows where members have made observations. Anyone can join and it is a great website to confirm and share your observations. The maps on iNaturalist are continually updated as members post new observations. I post all my observations on iNaturalist.

THERE ARE SEVERAL LINKS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE FOR FURTHER READING AND TO HELP WITH A POSITIVE ID.

I was invited by a friend to visit a private prairie east of town in May 2025 and again on April 19 in 2026 and it was incredible. Then there was an event at the new Lordi Marker Prairie on June 6 in 2026 which my friend went to. He sent several photos and one was of the Rattlesnake Master. Well, I hadn’t seen one before and wanted to see it in person… Then on June 8, he took me to the Lordi Marker Prairie and on to Drover’s Prairie which is in the same area. I took A LOT of photos of new to me species including the Rattlesnake Master. 

I wanted to go ahead and get the photos online and I will come back later and write descriptions. There are several links at the bottom of the page with a lot of useful information. Their descriptions were written by experts and can help you with a positive ID. Don’t forget to subscribe to iNaturalist!

 

Then on June 22, I went to the Friendly Prairie, which is across from the private prairie and also joins Lordi Marker. When I left there, I went back to the Lordi Marker Prairie and on to Drover’s Prairie. It is always great to find new species to photograph and identify. 

 

 

 

 

I will continue to go to the prairies to take more photos and identify more species!

I live on the family farm in Windsor, Missouri in Pettis County (Henry County is across the street, and Benton and Johnson aren’t far away). I have grown over 500 different plants and identified over 250 species of wildflowers (most have pages listed on the right side of the page). I am not an expert, botanist, or horticulturalist. I just like growing, photographing, and writing about my experience. I rely on several websites for ID and a few horticulturalists I contact if I cannot figure them out. Wildflowers can be variable from location to location, so that can be a bit confusing. If you see I have made an error, please let me know so I can correct what I have written.

I hope you found this page useful and be sure to check the links below for more information. They were written by experts and they have provided much more information. Some sites may not be up-to-date but they are always a work in progress. If you can, I would appreciate it if you would click on the “Like” below and leave a comment. It helps us bloggers stay motivated. I would enjoy hearing from you especially if you notice something is a bit whacky.

FOR FURTHER READING:
PLANTS OF THE WORLD ONLINE (GENUS/SPECIES)
INTERNATIONAL PLANT NAMES INDEX (GENUS/SPECIES)
TROPICOS (GENUS/SPECIES)
FLORA OF MISSOURI (GENUS/SPECIES)
WORLD FLORA ONLINE (GENUS/SPECIES)
WIKIPEDIA (GENUS/SPECIES)
USDA PLANTS DATABASE
iNATURALIST
U.S. FOREST SERVICE
MISSOURI PLANTS
MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN
MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION
WILDFLOWER SEARCH
ARKANSAS NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY
DAVE’S GARDEN
DYCK ARBORETUM OF THE PLAINS
FLORIDA WILDFLOWER FOUNDATION
FRIENDS OF THE WILDFLOWER GARDEN
GO BOTANY
ILLINOIS WILDFLOWERS
IOWA PLANTS
KANSAS NATIVE PLANTS
KANSAS WILDFLOWERS AND GRASSES
LADY BIRD JOHNSON WILDFLOWER CENTER
MINNESOTA DEPT. OF NATURAL RESOURCES
MINNESOTA WILDFLOWERS
NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY
PFAF (PLANTS FOR A FUTURE)
SEINet
U.S. WILDFLOWERS
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN

NOTE: The data (figures, maps, accepted names, etc.) may not match on these websites. It depends on when and how they make updates and when their sources make updates. Some websites have hundreds and even many thousands of species to keep up with. Accepted scientific names change periodically and it can be hard to keep with as well. Some of the links may use a name that is a synonym on other sites. In my opinion, Plants of the World Online by Kew is one of the most reliable and up-to-date plant databases and they make updates regularly. I make updates “at least” once a year and when I write new pages or add new photos but I do get behind. We are all a work in progress. 🙂