Friends of Nachusa Grasslands
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Parsley Family (Apiaceae)

  • rattlesnake master​

Spiderwort Family (Commelinaceae)

  • common spiderwort

How can I recognize a member of the parsley family?
The distinguishing feature is the flowerhead, which is shaped like an upside-down umbrella. This shape is called an 'umbel'.

Cool stuff to know about plants in this family
​
Some plants in this family are phototoxic. This means that if chemicals in the plant get on your skin, they can be activated in the sunlight and cause irritation, blistering etc. We have to be cautious when we remove the exotic wild parsnip weed at the preserve, making sure the plant does not touch our skin.
How can I recognize a member of the spiderwort family?
Alternate leaves, sharply folded along their length, with the leaf base wrapping around the stem. Plus the flowers only have three petals, often the third one small (but not in Spiderwort). Flowers in this family may remind you of lilies, which are a different family.
 
Cool stuff to know about spiderworts
The Scientific name Commelinaceae is to honor three related Dutch Botanists named Commelin. Two of the family were accomplished botanists (the two larger petals), the third died at a young age (the third small petal).

rattlesnake master

​Eryngium yuccifolium

Rattlesnake-master borer moth
The white prickly balls of flowers are visited by many types of insects seeking nectar and pollen. The caterpillars of a now rare moth (Papaipema eryngii), bore into the stems and eat the pith. This is the only plant this moth caterpillar eats. The adult moth is a pretty red/brown with silvery spangled spots.

Native American use
The entire plants turn brown in winter and clumps were said to be used as rattles in ceremonies by Native Americans. The leaf fibers were used to make sandals and other items.

Once a plant flowers and goes to seed it dies back a bit but develops more offsets (stems) near its base and becomes a cluster of plants over time.

The leaves of this central and eastern grassland plant are similar to those of southwestern yucca plants. However, flowers of the rattlesnake master place it in the parsley family. The true yucca plants are in the asparagus family.

Scientific name origin
Eryngium means 'spiny plant' and yuccifolium refers to the yucca-shaped leaves of the plant.
Picture

common spiderwort

Tradescantia ohiensis

Doesn’t like heat
Common spiderwort flowers are beautiful, blue, showy clusters of three-petals.  They open in the morning and close on sunny days in the afternoon.  On cloudy days, they will stay open longer.  The flowers will shrivel to a fluid jelly if touched in the heat of the day.
 
Some plants uses 
Various bees like to gather nectar in the morning when the blooms of this plant are open. Other animals at Nachusa like the white-tailed deer, cottontail rabbit, and box turtle like to eat this plant. The leaves and flowers are edible for humans and can be used in salads.  The stalks can be braised, grilled, or baked like asparagus and eaten as well. The plant has medicinal properties also.  A poultice made from the leaves can relieve the itching from spider bites and insects and the juice can be used as eyedrops.
 
Scientific name origin
This plant is named after John Tradescant (1608 – 1662), who was a famous gardener for Charles I of England and a friend of John Smith, who brought plant specimens from America to England. The species name is in honor of the state of Ohio.

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8772 S. Lowden Road  (mailing address)            
2075 Lowden Road (Visitor Center)           
Franklin Grove, IL 61031

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  • Home
  • About Friends
    • Mission, Leadership, Objectives, and Financials
    • Friends Annual Meeting 2025
    • Endowments
    • Heritage Heroes Initiative
    • Friends Annual Reports
    • Newsletters >
      • PrairiE–Update (email)
      • A Prairie Calling (print and digital)
    • Commenting Policy
  • Plan Your Visit
    • Hours & Parking
    • Directions and Map
    • Visitor Center
    • Pet Policy
    • Public Bison Tours
    • Bison Viewing
    • Hiking >
      • Hiking Guidelines
      • Hiking Destinations
      • Guided Hikes
      • Stone Barn Savanna Tour
      • Visitor Center Trail
      • Scavenger Hunt
    • Autumn on the Prairie >
      • Yearly Festival
    • What's In Bloom?
    • Exploring Nachusa Grasslands on Your Own
    • Things to Do
    • Places to Eat and Stay
    • Local Sites to Visit and Explore
  • Donate
  • Calendar
  • Volunteer
    • Volunteer Opportunities
    • Thursday and Saturday Workdays >
      • Workday Signup
      • Workdays – November to February
      • Volunteer Workday Safety Protocols
      • Leader Workday Safety Protocols
      • Steward Workday Tips
    • Workday Email List
    • Volunteer Recognition
    • Docents
  • Stewardship
    • Nachusa Stewardship
    • Restorations
    • Planting Histories >
      • Stewardship Unit Planting Histories
      • Planting Histories in Chronological Order
    • Weed Reports
    • Native plant resources
    • Volunteer Stewards
    • Groups and Committees
    • Available Units
    • Controlled Burns
    • Prescribed Fire Recruitment
    • Restoration Publications
    • Stewardship Resources >
      • Seed Collection Guides
      • Invasive Plant Management
      • Invasive Identification
      • Monitoring
      • Resource Links
  • Science
    • Science at Nachusa Grasslands
    • Science Symposium 2025
    • 2025 Science Symposium Abstracts
    • Science Grants >
      • Science Grants 2025
      • Science Grants 2021 to 2024 >
        • Science Grants 2024
        • Science Grants 2023
        • Science Grants 2022
        • Science Grants 2021
      • Science Grants 2016 to 2020 >
        • Science Grants 2020
        • Science Grants 2019
        • Science Grants 2018
        • Science Grants 2017
        • Science Grants 2016
      • Science Grants 2011 to 2015 >
        • Science Grants 2015
        • Science Grants 2014
        • Science Grants 2013/2012/2011
    • Potential Research Topics
    • Scientific Publications
    • Anderson Science Award
    • Science Videos
    • Become a Community Scientist >
      • About Community Scientists
      • Butterfly Monitoring
      • Calling Frog Monitoring
      • Dragonflies & Damselflies
      • RiverWatch
  • About Nachusa
    • General Info
    • Nachusa Staff
    • Prairie Smoke Annual Reports
    • Plant Inventory >
      • Common Names
      • Genus Species
    • Animal Inventory >
      • Amphibians
      • Birds
      • Bison Bison >
        • Bison
        • Bison Babies Broadcast Videos
      • Fish
      • Insects
      • Mammals
      • Other Arthropods
      • Reptiles
    • History
    • Jobs
    • Hunting
    • Geology >
      • Geology Part 1
      • Geology Part 2
      • Geology Part 3
    • Websites of Interest
  • Teacher Resources
    • K-2nd grades
    • 3rd-5th grades
    • 6th-8th grades
    • High School
  • BLOG AND MEDIA
    • Nachusa Blog
    • In The News
    • Photo Gallery >
      • Spring Photos
      • Summer Photos
      • Autumn Photos
      • Winter Photos
    • Videos
  • Contact Us / FAQs