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 stamens 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.