What would you call it?

  Sometimes a name given to a plant can be quite erroneous.  Perhaps it was given the name years ago merely because of appearance or maybe because of perceived use of the plant.  You can understand the former. Appearance does indeed give one the idea of a name or perhaps the name gives the idea of the appearance of the plant.  Either way, it is understandable.  Take for instance the "Rattlesnake Weed".  The roots of this plant actually do resemble the rattle of the aforesaid snake. (With the exception of the root being stark white! I have never come across a rattlesnake with a white rattle.  That would just be a tad ridiculous!) Still, you can see why the plant was given the nickname.  By the way, the actual name of this weed is Florida Betony.  

Rattlesnake Weed better known as Florida Betony.

  Then there is another plant named after the same snake.  While out and about my daughter's field, she and I stumbled upon a plant that neither recognized.  We photographed it and then did a bit of research. After eliminating dozens of similar plants, we made the decision that this was a Rattlesnake Master.  Well, now!  With a strong name such as Rattlesnake Master, there just has to be a tale behind the label!  I researched a bit more and sure enough, although erroneous, there is a bit of a story behind the name.

Rattlesnake Master

  Rattlesnake Master is found in prairies and fields almost nationwide. The pioneers moving westward picked the seed pods for their children. When shaken, the seeds inside made a rattling sound.  This however is not how the plant received its weird name.  The root of that same plant was believed at the time to be an effective antidote against the bite of the rattlesnake. Sad to say, this was not true. Friendly Native Americans had shared their remedy for snakebite with the pioneers and it involved the root of this plant.  Perhaps some essential element was omitted from the remedy or perhaps some mistake was made in translation but the root proved ineffective. Many folks died due to this mistake but the name stuck.  This gives us a weird name for a rather unusual looking plant!

Weeds On My Plate!

For years now, I have been fighting a certain weed that has been determined to take over not only the garden but every inch of the yard and even the potted plants! It has spread like crazy throughout every inch of soil and even invaded the mulch piles..nothing was safe. I never knew the name of this weed other than..that "darn weed". I pulled..hoed..raked..salted..flooded..anything that I could think of to eradicate this plant. This wily plant makes tubers! Mingled in with its seemingly miles of white roots are these lumpy tubers that remind me of grub worms! I could never get rid of all of the tubers and roots under each plant. It did not make me overly happy to see all of my efforts go to the wayside when within just a few days, that darn weed was back. I remember one time when I was weeding and Hubby made the comment that some day we might find that very weed is good for something. I don't think he realized just how true this flippant statement might be.

I read a lot of gardening how-tos, herbal guides and plant identification material. Last night..there was my weed in all of its glory! Finally a name! I had a name for that darn weed! This tickled me to no end as it seemed as if a mystery had been solved after so many years. Florida Betony! I now knew who to blame for this obnoxious plant that is a menace in my garden! Florida...hmmph! Well, that is just really nice of them! I read on...sure enough, the article said that if even one minute piece of root was left in the ground, it could grow into a whole new plant. Yep..that is my plant! Florida Betony! The plant's lumpy tubers give it a common name as well..Rattlesnake Weed. I could see this..the tubers do resemble the rattler end of the snake. So..Rattlesnake Weed, it is!

Now that I knew the name of the plant, I was curious to know all about it. The plant belongs to the mint family. Yes, I could see this..it does sort of have leaves and flowers like the mints and the stems are square like the mints..I wonder if it taste like the mints? I read on..the tubers that can reach one meter long are edible. Whoa there...did I just read that correctly? Two things...one meter long and edible??? I reread that paragraph..yep..the tubers can reach one meter in length in sandy soil..hmmm. Edible? Yep..the tubers are edible and some folks consider them a delicacy. Ok, so the University of Florida says the edible! Well...I'm game!

Today, after tackling the cleaning of the laundry room, I grabbed the hoe and went in search of some good, ole, tasty Rattlesnake Weed! I did not have to search long as there were some growing right off the side of the back step. I pulled away the mulch and chopped down with the hoe. I hit paydirt! Now these things do not look so bad! I gathered about a dozen or so of the tubers and went in to wash them. Ahhhh..Rattlesnake Weed tubers for supper! Son had suggested chicken, cauliflower and macaroni and cheese for the evening's meal..little did he know that something new awaited him! I scrubbed the tubers clean and placed them on a plate. After the rest of the meal was ready, I called him to the supper table. "Smells good", he said as he entered the kitchen..hehe..we shall see! He filled his plate and eyed the grub-worm-looking things on the plate. I picked up one and munched away..he then eyed ME..strangely! I said "Try one!" "Ummm..ok? And why are we eating weeds?" he questioned. I convinced him that they were delightful by eating another. He cautiously nipped one..then popped the whole thing in his mouth. "Not my favorite but not terrible" was the comment I received. To be honest, they were just so-so in my book, too. They are quite crisp and taste like a very, (VERY) mild radish. Although, I suppose we did not give them a half of chance. We just tried them raw..next we will experiment cooking them, frying them and maybe pickling them! If nothing else..the "ick-factor" would be worth the trouble! Could you imagine pulling out a jar pickled ones and telling someone they are pickled grub worms! And then eating one! Hee hee! This could prove to be interesting! Rattlesnake Weed...who knew?