Beware the White Snakeroot
By RasmaSandra
@RasmaSandra (90195)
Daytona Beach, Florida
October 25, 2025 3:21pm CST
It might look like an innocent plant growing, but it is deadly. It caused the death of the 16th U.S. President Abraham Lincoln’s mother, Nancy Hanks. The plant becomes poisonous even when ingested by cows, and drinking milk from such a cow who had grazed on this plant caused her death.
Snakeroot is a North American herb that has flat-topped clusters of small white flowers. I have seen similar plants, but I don’t think they were snakeroot, but who knows? So everyone should be careful because they can grow anywhere.
The plant has a toxic alcohol called trematol. If livestock ingest it, the poison can pass into both the meat and milk. Since farmers have become aware of this danger, they have seen to it that the plant is removed from animal pastures. It is native to eastern and central North America.
15 people like this
15 responses
@DaddyEvil (160357)
• United States
17h
It was/is used in some folk remedies. When I was a teenager, my brother-in-law took me with him to dig a bunch up because people pay good money for it.
3 people like this
@RasmaSandra (90195)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
17h
@DaddyEvil I don't know how they can use such a thing if it's so toxic.
2 people like this
@DaddyEvil (160357)
• United States
17h
@RasmaSandra It was used for intestinal problems as well as for fever... I don't know if it's still used like that, though. I was 18 when we were digging it up, drying it and selling it.
2 people like this
@RasmaSandra (90195)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
17h
@DaddyEvil I was about to say probably because it was dried and then I found this online so thank you for pointing out that it can be used medicinally.
White snakeroot can be used in folk medicine when dried, but caution is necessary. Traditionally, it has been used for various ailments, including digestive issues and as a tonic. However, it contains toxic compounds, particularly tremetol, which can be harmful if ingested improperly.
2 people like this
@RasmaSandra (90195)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
16h
@Nevena83 that is why it is good to know and be careful of it can also grow wild in gardens,
2 people like this
@Nevena83 (65819)
• Serbia
16h
@RasmaSandra You're right. We always have to be careful when it comes to plants.
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@RasmaSandra (90195)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
17h
@AmbiePam you can remember what it looks like and not touch it but if you had a farm you would have to look over your pasture very carefully especially with cows grazing, I don't know if it would grow wild in anyone's backyard,
2 people like this
@snowy22315 (197880)
• United States
17h
There is another similar plant that is very toxic. It isn't white oleander, but another white plant. I think it is Hogweed.
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@RasmaSandra (90195)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
17h
@snowy22315 something to look out for,
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@celticeagle (181078)
• Boise, Idaho
17h
It is a rather pretty plant. How interesting.
2 people like this
@celticeagle (181078)
• Boise, Idaho
14h
@RasmaSandra .......Yes. And, it is scary that it can come to us through milk too.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (90195)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
17h
@celticeagle at least good to know that even pretty it is toxic,
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@Tampa_girl7 (53607)
• United States
17h
I have never heard of this plant. I hope to stay clear of it.
2 people like this
@RasmaSandra (90195)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
17h
@Tampa_girl7 as long as you don't have a farm probably nothing to worry about but they also can grow wild in gardens,
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@LeaPea2417 (38614)
• Toccoa, Georgia
15h
I didn't know that, thanks for the information.
1 person likes this
@Deepizzaguy (115435)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
10h
Thank you for the warning of the white snakeroot plant.
1 person likes this
@AliCanary (3449)
•
16h
It's kind of pretty, but I never trust wild plants. It's scary to think that it wouldn't hurt cows but could kill people who drink the milk. I wonder if it would kill the cow's calf who drinks the milk.
1 person likes this
