Historical Native Plants and What They Were Used For

Some native plants have had a fine background as medicinal products, especially with the Native Americans. Below is a good sampling of some of these historical native plants and what they were used for.

Ageratina altissima (L.) King & H.E. Robins. var. altissima (white snakeroot)

Kingdom Plantae - Plants

Subkingdom Tracheobionta - Vascular plants

Superdivision Spermatophyta - Seed plants

Division Magnoliophyta - Flowering plants

Class Magnoliopsida - Dicotyledons

Subclass Asteridae -

Order Asterales -

Family Asteraceae - Aster family

Genus Ageratina Spach - snakeroot

Species Ageratina altissima (L.) King & H.E. Robins. - white snakeroot

Variety Ageratina altissima (L.) King & H.E. Robins. var. altissima - white snakeroot

This 4-6 foot tall clump forming perennial will need to be spaced 3-4 feet apart in moist, alkaline, well drained soil. Erect dark purple/brown stems with white fluffy flowers from August to October; it is a great butterfly draw. Make sure that White Snakeroot is planted in partial sun to full shade. Historically it has been used as a medicinal treatment for colds, liver disease, and fever.

Diphylleia cymosa Michx. (American Umbrellaleaf)

Kingdom Plantae - Plants

Subkingdom Tracheobionta - Vascular plants

Superdivision Spermatophyta - Seed plants

Division Magnoliophyta - Flowering plants

Class Magnoliopsida - Dicotyledons

Subclass Magnoliidae -

Order Ranunculales -

Family Berberidaceae - Barberry family

Genus Diphylleia Michx. - umbrellaleaf

Species Diphylleia cymosa Michx. - American umbrellaleaf

This is a member of the Barberry family and will reach 3 feet in height. Space them at least 2-3 feet apart in your garden arrangement. It has opposite leaves and white 6-petal flowers growing mid spring to late summer. It has blue berry like fruit and is slow to establish. Keep in afternoon shade for better growth. Cherokee Indians used it as a root tea to induce sweating. BEWARE: This plant can be toxic.

Lilium superbum L. (Turk's - cap lily)

Kingdom Plantae - Plants

Subkingdom Tracheobionta - Vascular plants

Superdivision Spermatophyta - Seed plants