clustered snakeroot, Sanicula odorata

Clustered snakeroot is a late spring woodland bloom. Typically you might see it after most other forest flowers have finished. These little balls are about a half inch across, on plants a bit over a foot tall. Clustered snakeroot was used for medicine by native tribes. Among the items cited on the Native American Ethnobotany site is one that says the Menominee thought sorcerers used it for evil purposes. Another says it was placed on hot stones, and the steam was inhaled for nosebleed. Yet another says the Cherokee made an infusion of this combined with pink lady-slipper for treatment of stomach cramps and colic. Clustered snakeroot grows in AL, AR, CT, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA(T), MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, ND, NE, NH(T), NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VA, VT, WI, WV, NB, NS, ON, and QC. Ives Preserve, Lenawee Co MI, 5/20/12. Parsley family, Apiaceae.