Sampson's snakeroot

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Sampson's snakeroot inflorescence

Sampson's snakeroot inflorescences

Sampson's snakeroot

Sampson's snakeroot inflorescence

Sampson's snakeroot

Sampson's snakeroot

Sampson's snakeroot

Sampson's snakeroot

Sampson's snakeroot

Sampson's snakeroot leaves

Sampson's snakeroot

Morphology

Stem

1 to several, erect or ascending, sparsely branched, glabrous or sparingly stiff-hairy.

Leaves

Alternate, pinnately 3-foliolate; leaflets narrowly-oblong to lanceolate or elliptic, 1.6 to 2.8 inches long, 2/5 to 4/5 inch long, sparingly stiff-hairy, gradually narrowed to rounded tip; stalks .4 to 2.4 inches long to nearly absent above, stalk of middle leaflet longer than stalks of lateral leaflets; stipules 1/6 to 1/5 inch long.

Inflorescence

Raceme, dense, spike-like, 1.6 to 4 inches long; stalk 3.4 to 6 inches long; bracts often with glandular dots.

Flower

Calyx tube bell-shaped, about 1/10 inch long, stiff-hairy, often glandular-dotted; corolla papilionaceous, lilac or lavender; banner egg-shaped, 1/5 to 1/4 inch long; wings 1/6 to 1/4 inch long; keel 1/10 inch long, purple-tipped.

Fruit

Pod, nearly circular, about 1/5 inch long, flattened, 1-seeded; seed egg-shaped, 1/8 inch long, maroon or dark brown.

Ecology

Habitat

Rocky open woods, sandy open ground, bluffs and prairies; dry or moist acidic soils.

Distribution

Southeast corner of Kansas.

Practical Information

Uses

Native Americans used a poultice of boiled roots on sores, boils, and wounds. The plant was also used to treat colic and indigestion.

Synonyms

Alternative scientific names that have been used for this plant.