Rattlesnake master (Eryngium yuccifolium) Growing only in high quality prairies, rattlesnake master stands out in the summer prairie. A member of the parsley family, rattlesnake master forms spiny-edged yucca-like leaves and round heads of tiny five-parted florets, with a white or white/bluish cast. Flower heads darken after blooming. Tales of medicinal use as a snake bite remedy appear in native lore. The unusual appearance of rattlesnake master seems more indicative of an arid landscape and adds visual variety to the grasslands of Illinois. video photos by Cynthia Gehrie