White Snakeroot, Ageratina altissima, is a common plant found in the woodlands of eastern North America. In the past white snakeroot was often ingested by dairy cattle which caused a toxic compound called tremetol to be excreted in their milk. If this milk was then consumed by a person, they could be poisoned and develop milk sickness. I discuss why this was a problem in the past and why you never hear about it today, even though white snakeroot is an incredibly common plant in many places.

Hope you enjoy it!

Anthony

Thanks Anthony, this is the story I always tell when I introduce people to this plant. Generally, normal people aren't very interested in plants unless there is an interesting story that goes with it, but I can easily get people to remember this one as the plant that killed Abe Lincoln's mother.

My brother does graze dairy cows. So this YouTube video is very interesting to say the least. Now I know which plant to remove from the pasture. I appreciate the well- thought- out videos you produce, Anthony T. You probably have the most informative posts on trapperman. Not to put anyone else down, just my worthless 2 cents. I do appreciate the hard work you put into this.

jht - People often look at plants as boring because they don't do anything - then if you can show them plants do all kinds of cool things they get into them. Tons of chemicals plants produce that can heal or kill - or even do both depending on the dosage or way it is prepared.

run - Thanks for the kind words! I have fun making the videos and do it as a way to teach people about all the cool stuff we have right here in our own backyards.

I have been gather seed from the Snakeroots in my woods in the last couple of days. I'll spread them around so there are more of them in my woods.
If any farmers cows get loose in my woods it'll be my sweet revenge

I have a bunch of this growing out back mixed in with the jewell weed, and it's in full bloom now, and is swarming with butterfly's, bees and moths.

It is blooming full force here in south central KY too. Plenty of butterflies and native bees on it. Also a few honey bees which is odd for this area - they generally leave it alone.

Got into hives yesterday and the bees are still packing in the nectar and pollen. Probably mostly goldenrod, although I have seen the bringing pollen I think maybe from snakeroot.

Saw some monarch butterflies nectaring on snakeroot this morning. Butterfly migration is going non-stop here in KY right now.

What about Honey made from the flower?? Is it toxic?

BigBob - I have never heard or read anything about honey being a problem. Honeybees don't work it very hard and not at all in some areas. They prefer goldenrod to just about anything else in the fall.