Polygala senega, commonly known as Seneca snakeroot, is a perennial herb that thrives in a variety of habitats including dry to moist woods, grasslands, and rocky outcrops in southern Canada and the central and eastern United States. It typically grows up to 20 inches tall and features narrow, lance-shaped leaves. From late spring to early summer, it produces dense spikes of small, white or greenish flowers that are somewhat showy. The plant’s root system is fibrous and hardy, allowing it to survive in less hospitable soil conditions.

Seneca snakeroot is valued for its medicinal properties, particularly its root, which was traditionally used by Native Americans to treat snakebites and various other ailments. Today, it is still harvested for herbal remedies, contributing to its economic importance. In cultivation, it is sometimes used in native plant gardens and restoration projects due to its adaptability to different soil types and its ability to attract pollinators. It prefers full sun to partial shade and requires well-drained soil. While generally low-maintenance, overharvesting in the wild and habitat destruction are significant threats to its sustainability, and gardeners are encouraged to source plants responsibly.CC BY-SA 4.0