Western snakeroot facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Western snakeroot |
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Ageratina occidentalis is a species of flowering plant in the daisy family known by the common name western snakeroot or western eupatorium. It is native to the western United States where it grows in several types of habitat. It is found in California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, and Utah.
Ageratina occidentalis is a rhizomatous perennial herb growing fuzzy green or purple stems to a maximum height near 70 centimeters. The glandular leaves are triangular with serrated edges. The inflorescence is a dense cluster of fuzzy flower heads containing long, protruding disc florets in shades of white, pink, and blue. There are no ray florets. The fruit is an achene a few millimeters long with a rough, bristly pappus.
Etymology
Ageratina is derived from Greek meaning 'un-aging', in reference to the flowers keeping their color for a long time. This name was used by Dioscorides for a number of different plants.
The name Eupatorium comes from the Greek king Mithridates Eupator, who is said to have discovered that a species in the genus could be used as an antidote to a common poison.
In popular culture
This article was the topic of conversation in the second episode of the web series "Two Of These People Are Lying" hosted by The Technical Difficulties. Tom Scott correctly guessed that it was real.
