Whether your first encounter with this plant is physical or visual, “respect” will be your first impression. The early morning sun back-lights the flowers accenting the numerous pointed miniature spears. It has been aptly named Rattlesnake Master (Eryngium yuccifolium).
“Eryngium is Greek for “prickly plant” and yuccifolium is Greek for “yucca leaves” (from plants.usda.gov.), ) Does that mean it is Master over Rattlesnakes? The Native American Indians thought so; they used the roots medicinally to counteract Rattlesnake bites. I’m respectfully impressed.
For more images and information on Rattlesnake Master is my post 7/7/2012 “Native survivors”.
For the facts about Rattlesnake Master check out this site: http://plants.usda.gov/factsheet/pdf/fs_eryu.pdf
I miss our Rattlesnake Masters. We lost them a couple of years ago, one to overgrowth of another plant and I think someone doing some concrete work dumped his water in our prairie garden. It’s on our list of must replants.
Apparently they are easily disturbed; but equally easy to be reintroduced. So you should replant!