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Gall of the Earth
Prenanthes trifoliolata

I think this is my favorite plant name! It’s so metal! And for the life of me I can’t find out how this plant got it’s name.

I had come across this plant growing for a few years before I could identify it, primarily because each leaf looks totally different. I haven’t seen it in bloom yet, and I imagine that would have helped with identification. There doesn’t seem to be much interesting information about this plant, except for it’s AWESOME name.

Alternate Names: Three-leaved Rattlesnake Root
Size: 1'-3' tall
Family: Asteraceae (Aster Family)
Habitat: Dry woodlands.
Identification:  Leaves are varied (making it hard to identify) typically 1-4½" (3-12 cm) × ⅜-6" (1-15 cm), deltate, hastate, or ovate. No two leaves look the same. The leaves have fairly long petioles, and the portion of the stem close to each leaf is winged. The plant flowers September-October. 
All text and photos copyright © 2022 Middle Way Nature Reserve, unless noted.
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