Photo: Floridanatives.wordpress.com

Hammock Snakeroot

Ageratina jucunda

ah-ger-AT-eh- na  jaw-KUN-dah

Asteraceae

Native to:  Florida native

Abundance and Distribution: Throughout (except western Panhandle), in diverse habitats ranging from scrub to stream banks

Recognition:  Perennial to 4’ tall, with opposite deltoid-ovate serrate, nearly hairless, petiolate leaves.  Flower heads white, wispy, reminiscent of Ageratum, in corymbs.

Easily confused species: Ageratum has blue flower heads.  Jack-in-the-Bush grows 12’ or taller and has conspicuously hairy leaves. Roundleaf Eupatorium (Eupatorium rotundifolium) has sessile or nearly sessile leaves.

Other: Poisonous to humans and livestock, causes milk sickness.

Internet reference: http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=250066016

Contributed by:  Carolyn Hendry.