Lesser Snakeroot (Ageratina aromatica (L.) Spach)
↑Summary
A perennial, similar to Ageratina altissima but smaller, with smaller leaves, and much rarer in much of its range, locally endangered in many areas. Mostly limited to the southeastern U.S., with small, threatened populations extending into New England.
↑Habitat
Prefers sandy, open sites.
Found in drier woodlands, especially pine and mixed pine/deciduous forests, exposed slopes, and forests that have burned recently.
Humans temporarily created more habitat for this plant by clearing forests in New England and the Mid-atlantic; in these areas, it has declined as forest cover has regrown, as it cannot survive in rich forests with a closed canopy. This plant has probably also been harmed by fire suppression and development.
↑Uses
Uncommonly cultivated as a garden plant; valued for being smaller and less aggressive than Ageratina altissima.
↑Related Plants
Closely related to the much more common Ageratina altissima, with which it largely overlaps in range, and can hybridize. A. altissima prefers richer sites, is more shade tolerant, and has benefitted more from humans.
Numerous other species of the Eupatoriae tribe also occur.
↑Links & External Resources
• Ageratina aromatica (Lesser Snakeroot) | USDA PLANTS Database (About This Site)
• Ageratina aromatica | Go Botany (About This Site)
• Ageratina aromatica | Biota of North America Project (BONAP) (About This Site)
• Ageratina aromatica (L.) Spach | Plants of the World Online (POWO) (About This Site)
• Ageratina aromatica | NatureServe Explorer (About This Site)
• Ageratina aromatica | Flora of North America (About This Site)
• Lesser Snakeroot | Maryland Biodiversity Project (About This Site)
• Ageratina aromatica (L.) Spach (Small White Snakeroot, Lesser Snakeroot) | Digital Atlas of the Virginia Flora (About This Site)
