Eryngium yuccifolium

The leaves are stiff, long and narrow with a sharp tip, 15–100 cm (0–5 ft) long but only 1–3 cm (0.39–1.18 in) broad. They are bluish-green, and covered in a waxy coating. On the edges are regularly spaced bristles or spines. The root system consists of a central taproot surrounded by thick fleshy fibrous roots. It grows up to 1.8 m (5.9 ft) tall, with 10–40 dense, ball-shaped umbels of flowers produced at the top of each stem. Each of these condensed umbels is 1–3 cm (0.5–1 in) in diameter, resembling flowerheads. Individual flowers in the umbels are small, 3–4 mm in diameter, with greenish-white or bluish-white petals and a faint honey-like scent. Underneath each flower is a spiny green bract, and underneath each flower cluster is a small star-like rosette of spiny bracts. The flowers are produced in July and August. After the flowerbuds open, the pollen matures and is released two to three days before the stigmas become receptive. This encourages cross-pollination by making it unlikely that a given flower's pollen will fertilize the stigma of the same flower. Rattlesnake master has unusually high seed set (close to 90%).

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Fibers of rattlesnake master have been found as one of the primary materials used in the ancient shoe construction of midwestern Native Americans. The roots were used medicinally to treat respiratory problems, rheumatism, liver problems, induce vomiting, and treat rattlesnake bites. An infusion would be drunk to relive bladder problems and muscle pains.

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In remnant natural areas, Eryngium yuccifolium is fairly intolerant of anthropogenic disturbance. It readily establishes when planted in prairie restorations. The flowers attract many insects, including short and long-tongued bees, flies, beetles, and butterflies, but most numerous of all are wasps. It is a larval host to the rare rattlesnake-master borer moth (Papaipema eryngii). E. yuccifolium is mostly self-pollinated, but is recognized to be of special value to native bees because it attracts large numbers of them for pollination. Fire is known to facilitate the spread of E. yuccifolium, with establishment of its seedlings increasing because of fire. It can increase in overall abundance in response to disturbance from fire.

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