Glaucous White Lettuce (Nabalus racemosus)

Glaucous White Lettuce

Nabalus racemosus

Glaucous White Lettuce, also known as Purple Rattlesnake-root, is a tall, slender perennial that grows 1 to 5 feet in height, with tight clusters of short-stalked pinkish flowers that bloom in late summer to early fall. The foliage is bluish-green (glaucous), with deeply lobed leaves that add texture to shaded landscapes. It thrives in average to moist prairies, meadows or along streambanks, where it supports native pollinators, particularly bees and butterflies. This species is ideal for woodland gardens, shaded native plantings, and naturalized forest edges. Formerly known as Prenanthes racemosa.

Characteristics

Type	Forb
Sun	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Soil	Clay, Loam, Sand/Gravel, Calcareous
Moisture	Dry, Mesic, Wet
Average Max Height (inches)	30
Suggested Plant Spacing (inches)	20
Bloom month(s)	August, September, October
Bloom Color or Type	Pink
Dominance	Medium

Range Maps

Sowing Information

Sow seed onto a firm, weed-free seedbed. Hand-broadcast seed making two perpendicular passes for even coverage. If planting a mix, broadcast the grass component first and lightly rake/drag it into the top 1/8–1/4" of soil. Next, broadcast wildflower/forb seed and press it into the soil surface (with a roller/cultipacker or the back of a rake) to ensure good seed-to-soil contact. After seeding, apply a very light layer of clean, seed-free straw (or other weed-free, site-appropriate mulch) to reduce erosion and retain moisture without smothering seedlings. A good rainfall or thorough watering will help settle seed and mulch and improve germination.

Planting Information

Dig a hole in your planting site slightly larger than the plant’s root system. When placing the plant into the hole, ensure that the soil line remains consistent with its original level in the pot. Fill in around the roots with the excavated soil, gently firming it to eliminate air pockets. Water the plant thoroughly the same day to promote successful establishment.