The moderating temperatures and periods of reduced (relatively speaking) humidity are making outdoor activities far more attractive for a majority of people. Whether walking a nature trail or pulling weeds in the garden, the thermometer reading encourages getting outside.
Sometimes residents and visitors are concerned about a surprise encounter with one of the 45 species of native snakes. In the cooler weather these coldblooded reptiles are unable to avoid the chance meeting which usually ends badly, at least for the snake.
In reality, it is far more likely to find a weed given a name based on one of its features which mimics a snake. One of these is Corn Snakeroot, a currently blooming native wildflower.
As the name implies, the tap root of this plant has a twisting quality which appears as a writhing snake, if a little imagination is applied. The advantage, for the plant, of this root system is it almost eliminates the possibility of it being pulled up.
Eryngium aquaticum, as this plant is botanically known, is currently blooming in full sun locations in panhandle Florida. It favors marshy locations and pineland which remain damp most of the time.
Corn Snakeroot may not appear much like a snake above ground, but its root system resembles one enough to discourage pulling it up.
These nutrient rich spots have acidic soils sustained by the decay of leaves and pine needles. Several other snakeroot species are native to the area and have similar root characteristics. Curiously, this weed is in the same plant family with celery (Apiaceae).
The stems of the Corn Snakeroot are erect and terminate with globe shaped bloom heads. Each bloom head, which is covered in many tiny flowers, has a pointy collar of leaves.
The upper level of the bloom head is capable of reaching over three feet in height and will sway in the autumn breezes. As the snakeroot’s blooms complete seed production and dry, wind will scatter the seeds in close proximity to the plant.
Most of the seeds are consumed by birds and insects, but enough survive to begin the process again the following spring. As a perennial this plant frequently appears in clusters after its first appearance in an area.
Another plant with a snake-like characteristic is Crotalaria pallida, sometimes known as Rattlesnake Weed or Rattlebox. This time of year, copious quantities of seed pods are drying from green to a dark brown.
When bumped, the detached seed in the hardened pod will produce a rattling noise similar to a rattlesnake’s warning rattle. For the uninitiated, the experience may be startling.
Crotalaria is an exotic invasive plant in north Florida and a problem species for livestock. The foliage contains a toxin which is rarely fatal to ruminants but will cause gastric distress and weight loss.
Seeds from this weed can survive in the soil for decades. When growing conditions become agreeable, this plant sprouts, commonly in bunches.
Capable of reaching seven feet in height, it will quickly subdue competitors by covering them with heavy shade. This weed will grow in filtered light, but not to its full potential.
Bright yellow flower spikes quickly appear which result in seed pods the size and shape of cocktail wieners.
While both plants have vaguely similar features to local legless reptiles, Corn Snakeroot and Rattlesnake Weed will never hide in the tall weeds. They may, however, hide the real snakes.
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