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Common name: Himalayan Rattlesnake Root, Brown's Rattlesnake Root
Botanical name: Prenanthes brunoniana Family: Asteraceae (Sunflower family)
Synonyms: Cicerbita brunoniana, Lactuca brunoniana, Prenanthes hispidula
Himalayan Rattlesnake Root is an erect perennial plant found in the
Himalayas. Prenanthes plants are called Rattlesnake
Roots because early folklore, about some species, suggested that the plant
could be rubbed on snakebites to aid in healing.
It has simple or branched stems 30-200 cm, which are often
glandular-hairy above. Leaves vary a lot - leaf blade is
triangular-heart-shaped or with cut-off base, toothed or pinnately lobed,
lobes further toothed or lobed. Leaf stalks can be long or short. Flower
blue, purple or sometimes white, 1.3-2 cm long, in numerous in lax branched
clusters at the end of branches. The botanical name Prenanthes means bowed flowers, indicating the facing down habit of flowers. The five narrow, long petals are turned
back, and very long blue and white stamens protrude out. This flowers is
commonly found at altitudes of 1800-3600 m. Flowering July-October.
| Photographed in Valley of Flowers, Uttarakhand. |
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