Wedgeleaf Eryngo (Eryngium cuneifolium)
Carrot Family (Apiaceae)
Wedgeleaf eryngo is an aromatic, short-lived, perennial herb, usually to 1.5 feet tall. The stems arise from a basal rosette. The narrowly wedge-shaped leaves have 3-5 bristle-tipped teeth or lobes and often 2-4 lateral teeth. The small greenish-white to sometimes pale blue-tinged flowers are in small, bristly, round, compact heads. The stamens have powdery blue or yellowish white anthers. Flowers from August through October. Only found on the southern part of the Lake Wales Ridge in Highlands County, Florida, it occurs in scrub on bare xeric, white sands in exposed sunny openings or disturbed areas. Large populations seen after fire or disturbance. Also known as scrub eryngium or wedge-leaved button snakeroot. Listed as endangered federally and by the state of Florida.
Copyright Brett Miley
