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Eryngium yuccifolium

Button Eryngo · Button Snake-root · Rattlesnake Master

Family ApiaceaeGenus Eryngium

Pale green globe-shaped heads covered in small spines, on branched stems among grass
FlowerCrazytwoknobsCC BY 3.0

About the plant

What it is and where it grows — not part of any germination protocol.

The plant

Habit
Perennial, WildflowerExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Habit
perennialPlants of the World Online
Height
4-6 ft1.2-1.8 mExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Spread
3-6 ft0.9-1.8 mExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Flower
Blue, Green, WhiteExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Blooms
SummerExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Native range
Native to the lower 48 statesPLANTS Database
Hardiness zones
3-8Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Growing conditions

Sun
Full sunExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Soil
Clay, Loam (Silt), Sand, Shallow RockyExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0), Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0)Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Moisture
Good Drainage, Moist, Occasionally DryExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Toxicity is noted only where a source states it. No note here is not a finding of safety.

Sources: Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox — NC State Extension; Plants of the World Online — Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; PLANTS Database — USDA NRCS.

Worth knowing

This source reports two treatments. Both are shown.

Protocol 1

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Low Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around January 18, 2027 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Cold moist stratification

    Temperature: 40°F 4°C

Germination happens during step 1, in 77 days.

84% germination in 56–77 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Eryngium p. 140Public domain
Show the original text
Eryngium (Fabaceae). The two species gave different behaviors. E. yuccifolium germ. 40(84% in 8-11 w), 70-40(none); and 2/10 in April in outdoor treatment.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Eryngium p. 140. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 2

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty High Rated by us, not by the source.

  1. Sow outdoors and leave it

    Up in April.

No stated waiting before sowing.

20% germination.

This source doesn't state how long step 1 lasts.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Eryngium p. 140Public domain
Show the original text
Eryngium (Fabaceae). The two species gave different behaviors. E. yuccifolium germ. 40(84% in 8-11 w), 70-40(none); and 2/10 in April in outdoor treatment.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Eryngium p. 140. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

How each step is done, in Deno’s words, and what Verified and Derived mean.

Germination trials

Readers’ own records of sowing this species, published after review. Share your trial · All trials

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