White Rattlesnake-root (Prenanthes alba): pink Minnesota wildflowers

White Rattlesnake-root

Plant Info
Also known as:	White Lettuce, Lion's-foot
Scientific name:	Prenanthes alba
Family:	Aster (Asteraceae)
Life cycle:	biennial, perennial
Origin:	native
Habitat:	part sun, shade; rich woods, thickets
Bloom season:	late summer
Plant height:	1 to 5 feet
USDA PLANTS database:	Minnesota county distribution map
Spotted in Ramsey County at:	Long Lake Regional Park Rice Creek Trail Corridor

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Flower:: Flowers hang down on branching racemes that arise from the leaf axils in the upper half of the plant. Individual flowers are about ½ across with 8 to 14 petals (ray flowers) that have small notches at the tip. The stamen are longer than the petals and have divided, curled tips. There are 2 layers of bracts. The outer bracts are short and green. There are 7 or 8 dull pink to purplish hairless inner bracts forming a tube about ½ inch long. Under the inner bracts are long cinnamon colored hairs that will eventually be attached to the seed. When fully open the flower is bell-shaped.
Leaves and stem:: Leaves are highly variable in shape, largest at the base of the plant and becoming smaller as they ascend the stem. Near the base of the plant they are up to 8 inches long and 10 inches wide and often lobed in 3 to 5 parts. As they ascend the stem the shape usually becomes more triangular, diamond shaped, or oval. All leaves are smooth textured, mostly irregularly toothed and have stems shorter than the leaf blade. Attachment is alternate. The main stem is smooth and often purplish.
Notes:: White Rattlesnake-root is one of the few flowering plants seen in the woods at the end of summer. Purple Rattlesnake-root (P. racemosa) is similar, but has very hairy bracts. Rough Rattlesnake-root (P. aspera) also has hairy bracts and its leaves have a rough texture. Neither of those species is typically found in the woods.