Ontario Wildflowers website

Tall Rattlesnakeroot
Nabalus altissimus
(formerly Prenanthes altissima)

Tall Rattlesnakeroot (Nabalus altissimus) Other common names: Tall White Lettuce, Tall White Rattlesnakeroot

Other scientific names: Prenanthes altissima

French names: Prenanthe élevée

Family: Composite Family (Asteraceae)

Group: Lettuces, Prenanthes/Nabalus

Similar species:
  •   White Lettuce (Nabalus albus)

  •   Three-leaved Rattlesnakeroot (Nabalus trifoliolatus)

  •   Glaucous Rattlesnakeroot (Nabalus racemosus)


Flowers: Summer;  White, Green/Brown;  5 parts (petals)

Leaves: Alternate, Simple, Toothed

Habitat: Forests

Grows in Sun/Shade: Shade

Books: Newcomb's Wildflower Guide: 212   

Native/Non-native: Native

Origin and Meaning of Names:
 Scientific Name: altissima: tall


Photographs: 119 photographs available, of which 10 are featured on this page. SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTOGRAPHS.

Range Map is at the bottom of the page
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Tall Rattlesnakeroot (Nabalus altissimus)

Tall Rattlesnakeroot flower and flower buds.

Tall Rattlesnakeroot (Nabalus altissimus)

Tall Rattlesnakeroot flowers are greenish-white.

Tall Rattlesnakeroot (Nabalus altissimus)

Ripe Tall Rattlesnakeroot seeds dispersing.

Tall Rattlesnakeroot (Nabalus altissimus)

Tall Rattlesnakeroot (Nabalus altissimus)

The laves of Tall Rattlesnakeroot are highly variable, as with most Prenanthes/Nabalus.

Tall Rattlesnakeroot (Nabalus altissimus)

More Tall Rattlesnakeroot leaves.

Tall Rattlesnakeroot (Nabalus altissimus)

A less typical shape is shown here.

Tall Rattlesnakeroot (Nabalus altissimus)

And sometimes a triangle.

Tall Rattlesnakeroot (Nabalus altissimus)

It is best to not try to identify Prenanthes/Nabalus by their leaves!

Tall Rattlesnakeroot (Nabalus altissimus)

An entire Tall Rattlesnakeroot plant.
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Range map for Tall Rattlesnakeroot (Nabalus altissimus)

PLEASE NOTE: A coloured Province or State means this species occurs somewhere in that Province/State.
The entire Province/State is coloured, regardless of where in that Province/State it occurs.

(Range map provided courtesy of the USDA website and is displayed here in accordance with their Policies)