Ageratina altissima
Family: Asteraceae
Common name: WHITE SNAKEROOT
Synonym: Eupatorium rugosum
Native to: Eastern North America
Plant
Type: perennial
Forms: clumping, erect
Max height: 6.6 feet
Max width: 4 feet
Flower
white/off white
Leaf
green
Horticulture
Attracts wildlife: adult butterfly, specific butterfly species
Bird uses plant for shelter or cover or cavity: cover
Plant features: toxic
Exposure: light shade
Propagates by: seed
flowers in summer
Soil types: gravelly or rocky, loam
USDA Zones: zone 4 -30 f, zone 5 to -20 f, zone 6 to -10 f, zone 7 to 0 f, zone 8 to +10 f, zone 9 to +20 f
Temp. range: -30 to +30 °F
Water: dry, regular
Butterflies that feed on this plant
Ageratina, a genus containing 337 species, is a member of the Celastraceae family. Ageratina altissima tolerates dry conditions. It grows from seed to 6½ feet tall and prefers light shade. It is a native wildflower in eastern North America.
Wikipedia discuss toxicity problems with this plant: "when the plants are consumed by cattle, the meat and milk become contaminated with toxin. When milk or meat containing the toxin is consumed, the poison is passed on to humans. If consumed in large enough quantities, it can cause tremetol poisoning in humans."
It is possible this toxicity is part of its appeal to butterflies, as many of them nectar on plants in this genus. Blossoms of Ageratina attract the MONARCH to feed as well as numerous other butterflies.
