Seneca Snakeroot

Senega officinalis

Native to:
Canada, United States

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Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Polygalaceae
Genus:
Senega
Species:
Senega officinalis
USDA Symbol:
POSE3

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Forb/herb
Height:
40 cm
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
Medium
Bloom Months:
may,jun,jul
Bloom Colors:
white

Garden & Ecology Notes

Deer Resistant:
Yes

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
rich, well-drained loamy soil
pH:
5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
excellent drainage required
Moisture:
consistently moist
Notes:
Prefers undisturbed habitats with organic matter

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:
Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days
Germination Time:
14–42 days
Notes:
Seeds benefit from cold stratification. Germination can be erratic.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI

Pre-treatment: Cold-moist stratification for 30 days at 1–5°C (34–41°F).

Source: Claude AI