rattlesnake master
noun
: a perennial herb (Eryngium yuccifolium) of the carrot family native to the eastern half of the U.S. that has a basal rosette of bluish-green, fibrous, parallel-veined, swordlike leaves that may reach a length of 30 inches (76 centimeters) and small, greenish-white flowers clustered in dense flower heads resembling thistle : button snakeroot sense 2
Note: The sap of rattlesnake master was once thought to prevent snake bites.
Examples of rattlesnake master in a Sentence
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Hetzel also likes the native rattlesnake master (Eryngium yuccifolium), but says that any of the sea hollies (Eryngium spp.) as well as globe thistle (echinops) will retain their round orbs after the flowers have faded.
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Tovah Martin, Washington Post, 20 Sep. 2023
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Tovah Martin, Washington Post, 20 Sep. 2023
Cite this Entry
“Rattlesnake master.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rattlesnake%20master. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
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