Vascular Plants of North Carolina
Section: Common Name: Scientific Name: Family:
Account for Slender Rattlesnake-root - Nabalus autumnalis   (Walter) Weakley
Members of Asteraceae:
Members of Nabalus with account distribution info or public map:
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Section 6 » Family Asteraceae
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Author(Walter) Weakley
DistributionCoastal Plain and Sandhills, barely into the edge of the eastern Piedmont.

Coastal Plain, NJ to northeastern FL.
AbundanceUncommon to infrequent in the southern Coastal Plain and Sandhills, mostly in well managed pine savannas with fire. Rare in the northern Coastal Plain and very rare along the edge of the Piedmont. Does not grow in sizable numbers within a population, but generally as scattered individuals.
HabitatDry to mesic Longleaf Pine-oak-Wiregrass uplands, bean dips, pine flatwoods and savannas. Often in loamy sand soils. Not a wetland species, but does favor somewhat mesic to slightly damp soils.
PhenologyFlowering and fruiting September - late October.
IdentificationUnlike all but Roan Mountain Rattlesnake-root (N. roanensis), this species features a long spike-like inflorescence, which in this case may occupy half or more of the plant's height of 2-4 feet. The nodding heads are a peculiar lavender-pink, and the stems typically lean. This is one of our most graceful and attractive plants, especially for a composite; when in bloom, it is impossible to overlook, even if there is just a single plant in the "population".
Taxonomic CommentsUntil recently named as Prenanthes autumnalis.

Other Common Name(s)None
State RankS3S4 [S4]
Global RankG4G5
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B.A. SorrieSandhills Game Land, loamy sandy flat, Oct 2000. RichmondPhoto_natural
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